Two Alameda Unified high school students were awarded the Abraham and Sara Kofman Alameda Times-Star Journalism Scholarship this week. Encinal High School senior Katherine Mejia and Alameda High School (AHS) senior Kellsie Pham-Nguyen were each awarded a $500 scholarship.

“It feels great,” said Mejia. “I’m really grateful. I wasn’t really expecting it.”

The scholarship is funded by the Kofman family, the former owners of the now defunct Alameda Times-Star newspaper, which shut down in 2011. It is awarded to two students in the district who excel in the field of journalism and exemplify the heart of a journalist.

“Being a part of a journalism program for more than half of my high school career has been great,” said Mejia. “I’ve become a better writer and photographer because of the course.”

Mejia is the current Editor-in-Chief Encinal’s Horizon news. She will attend City College of San Francisco in the fall.

“Kellsie has been a great addition to our journalism class,” said Kelly Gregor, AHS’ journalism teacher. “She is genuinely curious about our world...[her] motivation is rooted in a deep sense of respect for other people.”

Nguyen is a writer and photographer for Alameda’s Oak Leaf newspaper. She will attend UC Riverside in the fall.

You can read Mejia’s work at www.horizonnews.wixsite.com/horizon and Nguyen’s work at www.alamedaoakleaf.com.