Scripps Howard Foundation: Programs and Projects

Teen Appeal

In Memphis, a ten-year partnership between the Foundation, the University of Memphis, The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis public schools continues to pay dividends. The Teen Appeal has provided an opportunity to work on a high school newspaper – and opportunity that would otherwise have been denied to Memphis public high schoolers, whose schools do not have student newspapers.

Students pursing a journalism career are eligible for college scholarships. Since the program started, 64 Teen Appeal alums have gone on to major or minor in journalism or mass communications in college, and several are distinguishing themselves in the profession today.

Year 10 started in the summer of 2007 with the Lionel Linder (late editor of The Commercial Appeal) Journalism Camp for which 100 students signed up. They form the core of the staff for the Teen Appeal, a monthly student newspaper distributed free to all Memphis high schools.

2007 Scholarship Recipients

Clark Atlantic University
Myiesha Griffin
Folasade Omogun

Murray (Ky.) State University
Brittany McGowan

Tennessee State University
Kenneth Cummings
Silas Vassar III

University of Tennessee-Knoxville
John Caleb Calhoun
Mya Donald
Melody Kay Gordon
Courtney Mauldin
Michael Russom

Western Kentucky University
Britney Marks

For information about the program, contact Marcus Matthews, coordinator of Teen Appeal, The University of Memphis at 1-901-678-4710 or theteenappeal@hotmail.com