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WYOMA BEST SCHOLARSHIP

​​The Wyoma Best Scholarship was created in 2005 to help future journalists attending colleges and universities in and outside of the Rochester area. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who plans to study journalism or a communications-related field at an accredited college/university.

Application Details Below

HISTORY OF WYOMA

Wyoma Best, who worked for WROC-TV (Channel 8) and WHEC-TV (Channel 10), was Rochester's first female black reporter, anchor and talk show host. She was a courageous reporter and her work as a journalist helped the FBI to recover a Picasso painting stolen from Memorial Art Gallery. She was also the first black women to serve on the Rochester Board of Education. Mrs. Best was a business leader and was the first black female manager at the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce when she was vice president of
communications. Wyoma retired as vice president of communications for the Rochester Business Alliance after more than 25 years in the spotlight of politics, television and business. She was a mother of two daughters and wife to a retired engineer, Robert P. Best. The Wyoma Best Scholarship was created in 2005 to help future journalists attending colleges and universities in and outside of the Rochester area. To mark that occasion, Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson
Jr. proclaimed June 1, 2005 Wyoma Best Day. Rochester Association of Black Journalists is a chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, which aims to improve diversity in media organizations and news stories

Apply for the Wyoma Best Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The Wyoma Best Scholarship for Future Journalists is awarded annually to a local student who is journalism major and is currently accepted to an accredited college or university. For more detailed information and to obtain the application, send an email to: jalen.rabj@gmail.com. The application deadline is May 2, 2025, by 11:59 pm.

Part I

List key academic and extra-curricular activities you have undertaken that relate to your intended major. You must show your involvement in giving back to the community through volunteerism. Provide a letter from a person stating exactly what you did, for how long, and how often on the organization or agencies letterhead. Attach copies of all supporting documents.

Part II

Provide at 2- minute or less video narrative statement describing your personal
background and explain in detail why you want to go into journalism. Indicate factors about
yourself that make you uniquely qualified to receive the RABJ Wyoma Best Scholarship.

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Submission Guidelines:
● Introduce yourself.
● Minimum 30-second video.
● Film the video vertically.
● Specify which area of broadcasting you plan to major in (on-air, production,
videography, engineering, sports, news, weather, etc.)
● What college do you want to attend?
● Upload your video to rabjonline.org.

Part III

Essay Questions – Write a 500 word response to one of the questions. Pick just one.
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  1. The Impact of Social Media on Journalism:

    • Explore the ways in which social media platforms have transformed traditional journalism practices. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of citizen journalism, the role of algorithms in shaping news consumption, and the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in the age of viral content.

  2. Media Representation and Diversity:

    • Analyze the portrayal of diverse communities in mainstream media. Examine how media representations influence public perceptions and discuss the role of journalism in promoting inclusivity and combating stereotypes. Explore the challenges faced by journalists in ensuring accurate and unbiased coverage of diverse perspectives.

  3. The Ethical Dilemmas in Investigative Journalism:

    • Investigate the ethical challenges faced by journalists when reporting on sensitive or controversial issues. Discuss the balance between the public's right to know and the potential harm that investigative reporting can cause. Explore real-world examples and the ethical considerations that journalists must navigate in their pursuit of truth.

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Be sure to have ALL documents and videos uploaded to rabjonline.org. If applying via a paper
application, print, fill out and mail application with written essay and ALL other supporting
materials to:

RABJ Wyoma Best Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 30043,  Rochester, New York 14603

Wyoma Best Scholarship for Future Journalists

  • Scholarship Value: $500.00

  • Classifications: Graduating High School Senior or College Freshman of African descent

  • Minimum GPA: application materials): 3.0 on a 4 point scale. (Official school transcript must be submitted with

  • Eligible Majors: Journalism, Communications, TV and Radio Broadcasting

  • Eligible Schools: Any Rochester-area high school 

  • Eligible Locations: Resident of Monroe County and surrounding areas.

  • Application Deadline: May 2, 2025 by 11:59pm.

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Thank you for applying for the Wyoma Best Scholarship. We look forward to reviewing our application and we will let you know our decision.

CONGRATS TO ALL OF OUR PAST RECEIPIENTS

PLEASE DONATE!

We are always collecting donations for a scholarship to wonderful students. Every cent counts and goes a long way. We thank you in advance and for your generosity.

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