Three students from Howard University received high honors at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 27 at the Washington Hilton. President Joe Biden personally congratulated 30 White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) scholarship recipients, including Howard scholars Trinity Webster-Bass, JD Jean-Jacques II and Kyle Fisher.
“Our student scholars represent the energy, curiosity and creativity of young content creators who have excelled in their studies and will chart their own paths in professional reporting,” said WHCA President Kelly O’Donnell. “As institutions everywhere face crises in public confidence, our student scholars bring a fresh perspective and a desire to better understand the world around them.”
The WHCA has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships this year. Each Howard student will receive a one-time award of $7,000 towards their tuition.
Webster-Bass was chosen as the Harry S. McAlpin Jr. scholar, presented in honor of the first African American to attend a presidential press conference at the White House on behalf of the Atlanta Daily World.
“As a young aspiring journalist with a passion for audio reporting, I often find myself in a field where representation is lacking. It’s rare to encounter individuals who look like me or share my voice while telling our stories,” said Webster-Bass, a junior broadcast journalism major, and Afro-American studies minor from Jacksonville, Florida. “Journalism isn’t just a career path for me; it’s a calling.”
Webster, who was recently initiated as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, currently serves as President of the Ida B. Wells Society on campus and an investigative reporter for The Hilltop. This summer she will return to The Washington Post as an intern.
“That evening, I found myself in a room I never imagined I’d be in, yet I knew I belonged there. Witnessing my fellow scholars and other award recipients reinforced my commitment to my work, reminding me that dedication pays off in the long run,” she explained. “The honor of receiving the Harry S. McAlpin Scholarship comes with significant weight and recognition, and I’m determined to uphold its legacy as a Black journalist dedicated to the task at hand.”
Her colleague, Jean-Jacques, who is positioned to become the editor-in-chief of Howard’s newspaper next year, said this honor helped him realize his full potential as a journalist who can impact society.
“It was so spectacular to talk with journalism professionals and professionals of other industries at the dinner,” Jean-Jacques told The Informer. “The night showed me that I really can be just like them and contribute to our country in the ways they do. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I won’t ever forget it.”
Scholarship recipients participated in a luncheon the day before the dinner where they were paired with mentors from the White House press corps. Since the scholarship program’s existence in 1991, the relationships fostered, help propel young journalists into an exclusive and rigorous workforce covering government in the nation’s capital.
“WHCA mentors make a year-long commitment to work with these students offering advice and encouragement,” said Eugene Daniels of Politico. “We all know what a difference that can make. None of us would be here without opportunity and support.”
Daniels was matched with Fisher who he will guide throughout the next 365 days. Fisher serves as sports editor of The Hilltop, is an NBCUniversal summer intern for the Paris Olympics and all-MEAC jumper for the University’s track team.
The student-athlete and storyteller said the opportunity to meet celebrities and “pick the brains of so many incredible people who are passionate about journalism,” was an invaluable experience he will cherish forever.
“Meeting and speaking with the president of the United States was eye-opening because his passion about HBCUs and seeing people like me succeed was clearly great,” he said. “I hope to use the scholarship to continue my academic pursuits, and use the connections that I made through the award to enhance my involvement in the industry and promote good and ethical storytelling.”
His coach affirmed that Fisher was a great pick and will not fall short of any goal due to his continued tenacity on and off the track.
“Kyle has put in the tough work to get himself where he is academically as well as athletically. His academic work ethic is to be commended and to receive this type of honor is something everyone should strive for,” said former Olympian David Oliver who serves as the head coach of track and field at Howard. “We are extremely proud of Kyle garnering this recognition!”
Fisher, a junior strategic legal communications major from Duluth, Georgia said he is motivated to break barriers as a writer.
“It was humbling to be shouted out and given a standing ovation in a room of people who had accomplished so much,” Fisher concluded. “It let me see the scope of my work, and drew a bigger flame to my passion. I am proud and blessed to be a 2024 WHCA scholar.”