Donelson named SJOY 2020

January 31, 2020

MIPA’s Student Journalist of the Year 2020 will be presented to Hunter Donelson, a senior at Truman High School. He serves as copy editor for the Heritage yearbook and sports writer for THS Media, advised by Garrett Gordon. In his essay, Donelson said he plans to pursue a major in communications and English at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, in the fall.

MIPA SJOY winner, senior Hunter Donelson, left, conducts an interview at Truman High School.

Donelson will be recognized on stage in Jesse Hall as the 51st annual SJOY at the annual MIPA Journalism Day scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, on the MU campus.

In his glowing letter of recommendation, Gordon wrote, “In my 15-year career as a professional journalist, I worked with people that won Emmys and Associated Press Awards. I’ve worked on newscasts named the best in the country. I will put Hunter’s drive and determination up there with any of those amazing, skilled journalists. And while he’s young and still learning the craft he has all of the most important components in his bag. He is a beacon of hope for a profession that continues to absorb shots from all sides. We need students like Hunter to take up the profession and be on the front lines telling the stories of our humanity.”

2020 SCHOLARSHIP:

$2,500 scholarship – Missouri School of Journalism – MU proudly continues the tradition of offering a scholarship to the MIPA SJOY, provided that the MIPA SJOY winner chooses to attend the School of Journalism.