Released April 21, 2026
WASHINGTON – Six aspiring college journalists studying in the Greater Washington D.C. metro area, including northern Virginia and Maryland (the “DMV”), have been selected to receive scholarships from the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of Washington (SDX-DC Foundation), the nonprofit education arm of the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
This year’s candidate pool was especially competitive, with applicants from the University of Maryland, Morgan State University, George Mason University, American University and Georgetown University.
“At a crucial time for journalism, it’s beyond encouraging to see the talent, curiosity and dedication this generation is bringing to the field,” SDX-DC President Steve Geimann said. “These aspiring journalists understand the vital role the profession plays in serving communities and strengthening our democracy, especially now.”
The Foundation will distribute more than $20,000 in scholarships to the selected students for the 2026-2027 school year. The awards are funded by donations from the professional chapter’s members and individual gifts to SDX-DC.
“We’re proud to support these outstanding students as they continue their education and start building their careers,” said Geimann, a retired Bloomberg News editor and former national SPJ president. “Their passion is already evident, and we look forward to seeing their bylines and reading their important work in the years ahead.”
The winners are:
Athena Dyer of Crownsville, MD, will continue her education this fall at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. She impressed judges with her energy and enthusiasm for a future as a broadcast journalist. “Athena is an intrepid emerging journalist with tremendous potential,” said SDX Foundation Board member and scholarship committee judge Delano Massey. “Investing in storytellers like her—who bring curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to meaningful reporting—is essential to shaping the future of this industry.”
Nathan Ferraro of Ford City, PA, is a rising junior in the Department of Communication at George Mason University. He described how, during his “dream job” internship at his hometown newspaper, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, he overcame new challenges and was able to produce stories and a strong multimedia package. “Nathan had an impressive resume that included journalism and community involvement, but it was his love of copy editing for his school’s student-run newspaper that made him stand out,” said scholarship committee member Kara Dixon. “In my experience, many students interested in journalism only want to report, so it was a breath of fresh air to see someone want to take a different path and be so passionate about it.”
Jake Kauderer of Baltimore is a rising senior at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. He’s been a sports editor and reporter for the Diamondback and contributed to the sports sections of the Baltimore Sun and the Capital Gazette. The scholarship committee noted his commitment to sports as journalism beyond sideline standups. “Jake’s already diving into the world of deadlines and character-driven stories,” said CNN Senior Producer Scott McCrary, a scholarship committee judge. “Jake doesn’t just talk about making an impact — he’s taking meaningful steps toward his future career. His passion and solid instincts for storytelling shine through.”
Elizabeth Polo of Huntingtown, MD, is a rising senior at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Elizabeth impressed the judges with her passion for local news and her commitment to journalism as a public good. “I’m pretty certain Elizabeth is the only candidate who’s ever said she was inspired to become a journalist after attending a local school board meeting,” said SDX Foundation Scholarship Chair Joie Chen, formerly of CBS and CNN and former director of Northwestern University Medill School’s Washington Programs. “But it speaks to her understanding of the value of local news to its community and the importance of journalism to a functioning democracy. We look forward to seeing Elizabeth’s career develop here in the DMV.”
Brendan Russell is an aspiring sports journalist at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Originally from Wyndmoor, PA, Brendan says there’s no better place to learn journalism than here in the DMV. “Brendan’s path into journalism caught our eye — not everyone jumps from biology to storytelling,“ said scholarship committee member Scott McCrary. ”He approaches his work with the same careful process, while studying and learning from the work of pro sports writers across the DC market.”
Tierra Stone expects to complete her studies at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communication this fall. A Baltimore native, she says her journalism education at MSU has helped her find her niche as a health and environment reporter. AP White House correspondent Darlene Superville, an SDX Foundation board member and scholarship committee judge, noted, ““Tierra’s reporting on cancer and its effects on the Morgan State Community was very impressive and gives me hope that this scholarship award will help nurture her pursuit of a career as a health and environmental journalist.”
For more information about the Washington DC SDX Scholarship program, contact: Joie Chen, Scholarship Committee Chair, at sdxdcfoundation@gmail.com
Emely Miranda-Aguilar is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, majoring in journalism and minoring in French studies, and a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and vice president of the campus Society of Professional Journalists’ chapter. While at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, she has written for The Diamondback and College Park Here & Now. This summer, she will be an education reporting intern at U.S. News & World Report. “She has already shown us how dedicated she is to journalism,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Joie Chen. “We believe we’ll see her byline on many great stories in the years to come.”
Eddy Binford-Ross is a rising senior at Georgetown University, studying international politics and journalism, and is editor-in-chief of the school’s student newsmagazine, the Voice. Eddy previously covered the Oregon outdoors and education beats in internships with the Salem Statesman Journal/Gannett. This summer, she is working as a reporting intern for The Oregonian’s politics and education team in Portland. “Eddy demonstrated the ability to not just find the underreported stories important to her community but deliver them in a multi-sourced compelling narrative, leaving the audience wanting more,” said Scholarship Committee member Steve Redisch. “And she’s still in college!”
Damenica Ellis is a rising senior media, journalism and film major with a concentration in journalism and an English minor at Howard University, where she is a campus section reporter for The Hilltop, the student-run newspaper. Beyond Howard, she’s interned with Twin Cities PBS and was part of the 2024 Bloomberg Diversity Program and National Association of Black Journalist Student Multimedia Project. This summer, working through the HBCU News Intern Program, Damenica will working at Charlotte Observer in the metro section. “Damenica has two basic instincts essential for all journalists: curiosity and a desire to tell stories,” Geimann said.