Congratulations to our 2017 Scholarship Winner!

 Heather Knott -- Senior, SUNY Cobleskill

 Heather Knott, a senior in the communications program at SUNY Cobleskill, has been a dedicated and   passionate student throughout her academic career. An ardent reader and writer, she has supported the   literary arts on campus by starting an online literary journal and tutoring in the Writing Center. Her writing   has been featured in Teen Ink, a national publication for teens.  

 Outside of school she enjoys giving back to her community both locally and internationally. She   has volunteered in Haiti on multiple occasions, teaching English and working on clean water projects. When closer to home, she tutors literacy.

Most recently she spent a semester abroad in Valencia, Spain studying Spanish.After graduation, Knott , daughter of William and Eileen Knott of Cobleskill, hopes to pursue a master's degree in literature.   

In reviewing applications, the WPCNYS scholarship committee was impressed with Knott’s academics and extracurricular endeavors, as well as with her unique writing style displayed in her essay about First Amendment journalistic rights.

Meet our 2016 Scholarship Winner

Rachel Doktor
Graduate student, University at Buffalo

Rachel Doktor grew up in Corfu, New York. She graduated from Pembroke High School in 2011 and then enrolled at Genesee Community College, where she majored in communications and media arts. After receiving her associate’s degree in 2013, Rachel went to SUNY Buffalo State to expand her academic work in media production, graduating in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree. She is now enrolled at the University at Buffalo, working on a master of fine arts degree. She works part time as a camera operator at Batavia Downs Horse Cart Races.

Doktor’s interests include photography, film production, broadcasting and playing music as well as raising and breeding birds and various other animals. Chickens, goats, peafowl, pheasants, turkeys, parrots, doves, reptiles, fish, small mammals and many more are just some of the critters under her care. Additionally, Doktor has been playing the tenor saxophone for the past nine years and is a member in the Corfu Community Band and Batavia Concert Band.

When reviewing her application, the Women’s Press Club scholarship committee was impressed with Doktor’s credentials and welcomed the opportunity to honor someone pursuing a form of journalism that is essential to the “new media.” Her work in video production and documentaries will help expand the boundaries of traditional journalism in a rapidly changing communications landscape.

More Scholarship Winners:

 2015 - Madeline St. Amour, University at Albany graduate; working as a reporter at the Morning Sentinel in Maine