Announcing the winners of CTSPJ’s 2023 Bob Eddy Scholarships

Each year, the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists hands out scholarships intended to foster the journalism careers of qualifying college students with Connecticut ties.

Competition this year was particularly steep, with entrants from more than 10 universities in four different states.

To see past winners or learn more, visit connecticutspj.org/2020-scholarship-program/.

To donate to the fund, click here to visit the donation page through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Without further adieu, we are pleased to announce this year’s the winners, which are:

Madeline Papcun ($2,500) – Madeline Papcun is a senior at the University of Connecticut, studying journalism and human development and family science. Maddie is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Campus, UConn’s independent, student-run newspaper and has also worked as an intern at both the Connecticut Mirror and the Meriden Record-Journal. After college, Maddie hopes to pursue a career in which she will continue writing. In her free time, Maddie enjoys reading, rollerblading and playing sudoku.

Richard Podgorski ($1,500) – Richard (Ricky) Podgorski is a rising junior at the University of Maryland. He was born and raised in Farmington, Connecticut, and graduated from Farmington High School, where he was president of the class of 2021, captain of a state championship-winning basketball program, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and lead anchor of its broadcast, the 9:05 news.

At the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, he is pursuing a sports broadcasting degree. He has been involved in a student-led sports broadcasting group called Terrapin Sports Central for three years and right now is its executive producer. He also has worked as a crew member for the Big Ten Student U as well as with ESPN for the production of national XFL broadcasts.

This summer Ricky will be working back in Connecticut as the Sideline Reporter for the Danbury Westerners, a collegiate summer league team of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He’ll work side by side with the broadcaster to bring a new perspective to the team’s production, and will also create feature packages for the Westerner’s social media.

Juliana Lepore ($1,000) – Juliana Lepore is a rising senior at the University of Rhode Island majoring in journalism and communications with a minor in political science. She currently serves as the editor-in-chief of the Good Five Cent Cigar, the student-run newspaper at URI. She has appeared on “A Lively Experiment” on Rhode Island PBS, as well as moderated the Rhode Island Second Congressional District Forum in October.

Stacey Addo ($1,000) – Stacey Addo is a rising senior at Eastern Connecticut State University majoring in communications. She aspires to work in journalism doing features that tell inspiring stories. When she’s not in class, she’s serving as an editor for the school’s newspaper, working with Eastern’s television station or writing for College Fashionistas. In her free time she loves to read, crochet and enjoy music and theater.

Johanna Wolkoff ($1,000) – Johanna Wolkoff is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, College Park and studying journalism and history. Johanna is focused on studio production, especially in the sports industry. This summer, Johanna is interning for SNY in New York City as a Technical Operations Intern. During the school year, she works for the Washington Nationals, the Washington Commanders, NBC Sports Washington and B1G+.