Meet the Recipients of PRSA Puget Sound’s 2024 Annual Scholarships
For young people across the country, the cost of higher education and the lack of financial aid are leading barriers to enrolling in, and completing, college degrees. PRSA Puget Sound is proud to help reduce financial barriers and amplify opportunities for outstanding college students interested in PR careers through two annual scholarship programs—the Sally Heet Memorial Scholarship and Horace and Susie Revels Cayton Scholarship.
Awarding $4,000 each, both of these scholarships are open annually to college sophomores and juniors across Washington state who are pursuing degrees in public relations, media relations, communications, and related fields. The Horace and Susie Revels Cayton Scholarship specifically seek to recognize a student from a systemically underrepresented racial/ethnic background.
Our chapter was honored to receive applications from incredible students enrolled at institutions around the state in 2024. After careful consideration, our judging panel named Gracey Harvey and Ashley Stirpe as our 2024 award recipients. Read below to learn more about these extraordinary up-and-coming PR professionals.
Grace Harvey, Sally Heet Memorial Scholarship Award Winner
Gracey Harvey attends Washington State University, where she is double majoring in political science and broadcast journalism and will be a Junior in 2025. Grace has built experience with public and media relations through her experience as a reporter for The Daily Evergreen. In the future, Grace hopes to help with the communications and public relations of an organization focused on aid in developing nations.
"I am honored to have been awarded the Sally Heet Memorial Scholarship award for 2024,” said Harvey. “This award means continuing my education in Communications, and without the PRSA's support, getting my communications and political science degrees would be significantly harder. The support of the Puget Sound chapter of the PRSA is an incredible gift for which I'm very appreciative."
Ashley Stirpe, Horace and Susie Revels Cayton Scholarship Award Winner
Ashley Stirpe attends Eastern Washington University, where she is studying Communications and will be a Junior in 2025. In addition to her studies, Ashley serves as a trainer for Target Stores, where she has honed skills with relationship building and team leadership. Ashley aspires to become a Director of Media Relations and to use her PR skills to advocate for her Native American community, as well as other underrepresented groups, amplifying their voices and ensuring their stories are told authentically and respectfully.
"Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous boost to my future, opening doors for both my education and career,” said Stirpe. “This award will have a lasting impact as I am determined to pay it forward by helping others achieve their dreams and creating opportunities for their success."
Interested in supporting future scholarship opportunities for students?
Make a donation to PRSA Puget Sound’s scholarship fund. Contributions of every size can make a real difference in opening doors for the next generation of PR professionals!
