An enthusiastic and spirited Southwestern College student majoring in convergent journalism is the winner of the 2021 Wichita Professional Communicators $2,000 scholarship. Daegiona Wilson stands out among her peers at the Winfield, Kansas, college, from the classroom to the track field. The scholarship award helps to ease the stresses of completing her college degree.
WPC Scholarship Committee co-chairs Judy Conkling, left, and Wilma Moore-Black, at right, stand with Daegiona Wilson, the 2021 WPC Scholarship recipient.
“Since I was in high school, I made a commitment to myself that I want to leave college as close to debt-free as possible,” said Wilson, who graduated from South High School in Wichita. “I understand that rarely happens for individuals; however, it is possible. Through continuously working in the classroom, as well as in my extracurricular activities, I will ensure that this award will be earned past being granted.
“Through journalism I am able to provide the information needed for both the public and our leaders to make good decisions on our behalf. By being a journalist, I can expose individuals to opinions and perspectives that they have not seen before, not only expanding my own worldview but expanding the worldview of others.”
Wilson gets firsthand experience with her involvement as Student Government Association at-large senator, resident assistant at her dormitory and sports editor for the college’s newspaper. She maintains a 3.6 GPA and competes on the track and field team.
“I am continuously searching for new ways and opportunities to make progress toward my long-term goal, which is to build connections through communication and public relations for a global company or news outlet, such as ESPN or CNN.”
In addition to the monetary award, the scholarship includes a one-year student membership in WPC and its affiliated state and national organizations, Kansas Professional Communicators and the National Federation of Press Women.
WPC members support events throughout the year to fund the scholarship. You can help with your donation to WPC’s Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to Wilson, WPC’s 2021 scholarship winner, who this summer will be completing an internship in the marketing department of a national construction service company, MMC Corp. in Overland Park, Kansas.