Marie Whitaker Scholarship for Juniors Logo

  • Marie Whitaker Scholarship for Juniors

  • ABOUT MEDIA FELLOWSHIP HOUSE

    Media Fellowship House was founded in 1944 by four women of different races who wanted to promote fellowship and understanding by creating a space for a diverse community to come together. Media Fellowship House has continued the work of our founders' mission for 80 years by creating programs, organizing coalitions, and facilitating conversations that promote diversity and understanding. To learn more, visit: www.mediafellowshiphouse.org

    ABOUT THE AWARD

    Named in honor of a founding member of Media Fellowship House, this scholarship opportunity for high school juniors encourages self-reflection and challenges students to consider the importance of speaking out and taking action against injustice in order to build a stronger community. These are the core principles that Media Fellowship House was built upon in 1944 and the values we strive to instill in our youth today. Three high school juniors will be selected to receive a $500 scholarship to support with application fees related to their post-secondary planning.

  • Application Process

  • DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: February 28, 2026

    Thank you for your interest in our annual scholarship program. To be considered for this award, please submit a short essay or creative project by the deadline of February 28th, 2026. A list of choice prompts and directions on the submission process are listed on the next page.

    Please choose ONE of the following prompts and respond with either:

    • A 1–2 page written essay,
    • A recorded video or audio response (no longer than 5 minutes), or
    • A visual project (artwork, photo series, or digital media).

    If you choose a video, audio, or visual response, please also include a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining your project and how it connects to the prompt.

    Formats accepted:

    For Short Essay Options:

    • Length: 1-2 pages
    • Line Spacing: 1.5 spacing
    • Font Size: 11pt
    • File Types accepted as attachments by email: .doc, .docx, or .pdf

    For Creative Video Projects:

    • Video Project Length: 3-5 minutes
    • File Types accepted as attachments by email: MP4, .mov, or link to youtube post (or similar)

    For Creative Visual Projects:

    • 1-2 pages or up to 3 image designs
    • File Types accepted as attachments by email: .pdf, .jpg or .png

    Decision Process: Submissions will be reviewed based on:

    • Authenticity of voice and reflection
    • Creativity and originality of ideas
    • Clarity, organization, and focus

    The top three, scoring highest, will be selected to receive a scholarship. Awards will be announced by April 15 and all scholarship recipients will be recognized at our Annual Award Ceremony held in May 2026.

  • GUIDANCE ON USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (A.I.)

  • ASSESSMENT & AUTHENTICITY

    We want to hear your voice—your ideas, your experiences, and your reflections. A.I. tools may be helpful for organizing thoughts or proofreading, but your submission should represent your own original thinking and creativity. Trust in your abilities and share from your perspective.

    If you are selected as a finalist, our committee looks forward to connecting with you to discuss your submission and learn more about your inspiration and process.

    If you used A.I. in any way (for brainstorming, editing, or research), we will ask you to include a brief note (2–3 sentences) explaining how you used it and how the final submission reflects your own ideas.

  • SCHOLARSHIP PROMPTS

  • Please choose ONE of the following prompts and respond with either:

    • A 1–2 page written essay,
    • A recorded video or audio response (no longer than 5 minutes), or
    • A visual project (artwork, photo series, or digital media).

    If you choose a video, audio, or visual response, you will be asked include a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining your project and how it connects to the prompt.

  • PROMPTS

    OPTION 1: Leadership in Action
    Reflect on a time when you were inspired by someone who spoke out and took action against injustice.

    • What injustice did you observe?
    • What leadership qualities stood out to you?
    • How did this inspire you to speak out or take action on issues that matter to you?

    OPTION 2: The Power of Words
    Throughout history, words have sparked change and inspired action.

    • Think of a quote, speech, or lesson from a politician, philosopher, teacher, writer, or another role model that resonated with you.
    • How have these words shaped your values and inspired you to live with purpose?

    OPTION 3: Addressing Inequality
    Identify one form of inequality you’ve observed in your school or community.

    • What recommendation would you give to teachers, administrators, or your peers to address this inequality and support marginalized groups to feel more included, celebrated, and understood?

    OPTION 4: Advice to a Ninth Grader (or Your Younger Self)
    As a high school junior, what advice would you offer to an incoming ninth grader—or to your younger self—to help them feel accepted and confident?

    • Share a personal challenge you’ve overcome and the lessons you learned.
    • What do you wish you had known earlier in your journey?
    • Write a 1-2 page letter addressed to a ninth grader or to your younger self. 

  • Ready to get started?

    After gathering some basic contact information, you will have a chance to share about your future education goals, and review the essay and project options again, before submitting your application.

  • 1. Contact Information

    We collect basic information so that we can stay in touch with you throughout the application process. We promise not to share this with anyone outside of our organization.

  • Please tell us a little more about yourself here:

  • 2. Parent/Guardian Contact Information

    We collect basic information so that we can stay in touch with you and your household throughout the application process. We promise not to share this information with anyone outside of our organization!

  • Please tell us a little more about your parent/guardian here:

  • 3. Future Goals

    Please share with us a little about your future education and career goals!

  • 4. PROMPTS

    Please submit either ONE short essay OR ONE creative project responsing to the options provided below. You can upload a file directly into this application before submission or type directly into the space provided.

  • OPTION 1: Leadership in Action
    Reflect on a time when you were inspired by someone who spoke out and took action against injustice.

    • What injustice did you observe?
    • What leadership qualities stood out to you?
    • How did this inspire you to speak out or take action on issues that matter to you?

  • OPTION 2: The Power of Words

    Throughout history, words have sparked change and inspired action. Think of a quote, speech, or lesson from a politician, philosopher, teacher, writer, or another role model that resonated with you. How have these words shaped your values and inspired you to live with purpose? 

  • OPTION 3: Addressing Inequality

    Identify one form of inequality you’ve observed in your school or community. What advice would you give to teachers, administrators, or your peers to address this inequality and support marginalized groups to feel more included, celebrated, and understood? 

  • OPTION 4: Advice to a Ninth Grader (or Your Younger Self)

    As a high school junior, what advice would you offer to an incoming ninth grader—or to your younger self—to help them feel accepted and confident?

    • Share a personal challenge you’ve overcome and the lessons you learned.
    • What do you wish you had known earlier in your journey?
    • Write a 1-2 page letter addressed to a ninth grader or to your younger self.

  • ASSESSMENT & AUTHENTICITY

    We want to hear your voice—your ideas, your experiences, and your reflections. A.I. tools may be helpful for organizing thoughts or proofreading, but your submission should represent your own original thinking and creativity. Trust in your abilities and share from your perspective.

    If you are selected as a finalist, our committee looks forward to connecting with you to discuss your submission and learn more about your inspiration and process.

  • REQUIRED for Creative Submissions: If you choose to create a visual, audio, or video project, please include a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) responding to the following question:

  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28, 2026.

    Contact Amy Komarnicki, scholarship@mediafellowshiphouse.org, with any questions or 610-565-0434.

  • Permission

  • If your essay or project is selected to win a scholarship, Media Fellowship House may list your name, high school, a quote, and photo (of your choice) to promote this program. This may include posting to social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), MFH website, MFH e-newsletters, and local newspapers.

  • Should be Empty: