Ron Paris Mass Communication Award

Ron Paris Mass Communication Award

Overview: The Ron Paris Mass Communication Scholarship was established by the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in 2008 in memory of Mr. Ron Paris, who founded The Daily Courier and was a founding member of the Board of Trustees for the McNair Foundation. This scholarship is awarded annually to one ROPE Award recipient from each high school who has demonstrated an aptitude or affinity for an area of mass communications.

Geographic Scope: Rutherford County Schools, North Carolina (one recipient from each of the three high schools: Chase, East Rutherford, and R-S Central)

Award Amount: Up to $8,000 over four years of postsecondary education

About Ron Paris: Ron Paris was a journalist who founded The Daily Courier and spent 30 years as the editor and publisher of the local newspaper. He was dedicated to promoting fairness and objectivity in journalism and won numerous journalism awards throughout his career. He served on the McNair Foundation's Board of Trustees for 19 years.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a ROPE Award recipient

Must have demonstrated an affinity or aptitude for an area of mass communications, which can include:

- Journalism
- Radio
- Television
- Public relations
- Political science
- Marketing
- International relations
- Media studies
- Broadcast technology
- Global studies

Selection Process: Recipients are selected by the Teacher Advisory Council from each high school based on demonstrated affinity for mass communications.

Recent Recipients:

2021: Jenna Bridges (Chase), Ben Hollifield (East Rutherford), Brock Byrd (RS Central)

2019: George Randlett (Chase), Addie Harris (East Rutherford), Morgan Hill (RS Central)

Contact:

East Rutherford High School: (828) 245-4339

Chase High School: (828) 247-8957

RS Central High School: (828) 288-0272