First year UBC Journalism student Sophie Gray has been awarded a student journalism award from the Jack Webster Foundation.
Gray was chosen as one of five students to receive the award, which recognizes students in British Columbia who have demonstrated their passion and dedication to the profession of journalism.
This year’s other recipients are Luisa Alvarez and Selenna Ho from BCIT, Joseph Keller from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Alyse Kotyk from Langara College. The award comes with $2,000, which is paid towards tuition at each winner’s school.
The students will be recognised at the 30th annual Jack Webster Awards dinner on October 20, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.
UBC Journalism faculty and alumni have received eight nominations across six categories in this year’s Jack Webster Awards, which recognize the best journalism in British Columbia.
‘Lofty goal’
Gray, who is in her first term at UBC School of Journalism, was surprised at the news of the award.
“It’s nice to get outside recognition for things that I’ve done, which I do because I want to do them and because I enjoy them,” she said.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Gray completed her major in English with an extended minor in Archaeology at Simon Fraser University before following her interest in writing about people and cultures.
Having written for Simon Fraser University’s student newspaper The Peak, and a few online publications, Gray is working on expanding her experience, with a focus on global stories, informing and connecting people from across the world. She also hopes to build on her skills and knowledge in order to launch her own publication.
“Eventually, I know it’s a pretty lofty goal, but I’d like to have my own publication one day. A small, online magazine or something like that is what I’d like to do eventually,” says Gray.
Previous UBC School of Journalism recipients include Peggy Lam, Jon Hernandez, Jordan Wade, Lisa Hale and Calyn Shaw among others.
Founded in 1986, The Jack Webster Foundation carries on legacy of BC reporter Jack Webster, by promoting and recognizing the achievements of BC based reporters. The Student Journalism Awards are sponsored by Hospital Employees’ Union, and the Foundation’s Dennis Skulsky and Don Matheson funds.
