The Asian American Journalists Association is proud to announce Amber Xiaozhi Chen as the 2022 winner of the Mary Moy Quon Ing Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the first Asian American editor at the Washington Post, Dorothy Ing Russell, in honor of her mother Mary Moy Quon Ing. It awards $2,000 to a graduating high school senior who will be attending a college or university to pursue a journalism career.
Chen was selected based on her academic and journalistic achievement, financial need, commitment to journalism and/or sensitivity to AAPI issues. Based on how well-rounded her clips were and her commitment to reporting on AAPI issues, the scholarship judging team believed she showed promise as a journalist.
“We’re proud to select Amber as one of this year’s scholarship recipients, and we look forward to supporting her further in her journalism career as she heads to college,” said AAJA director of programs and partnerships Waliya Lari. “With scholarships like this one, we are honored to keep alive the legacies of trailblazing AAPI women like Dorothy and build upon their hard work.”
Chen, who will be attending UC Berkeley in fall 2022, says that it is an honor to receive this year’s scholarship.
“I feel incredibly honored to receive this scholarship: I care deeply about my writing and for it to be recognized by the AAJA means so much to me,” Chen said. “I’ve often doubted my ability to contribute to professional publications as a high schooler, but with this award I now feel more confident.”
About The Winner:
Amber Xiaozhi Chen is currently a senior at South Pasadena High School, where she leads her school’s award-winning newspaper as one of three managing editors. She has been writing professionally since she was sixteen as a freelance journalist on the side, contributing words to Atmos Magazine, Protocol and the L.A. Times. Amber has also written for The Eco Justice Project, a digital platform dedicated to promoting intersectionality within the climate movement, and is a member of the Bad Activist Collective. She looks to continue combining her love for writing and her passion for climate justice in order to introduce equitable climate solutions, uplift marginalized voices and diversity the media landscape. Amber will attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall.
Learn more about Amber here: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Portfolio
About AAJA’s Scholarships
AAJA annually offers up to $20,000 in scholarships and grants to journalism students to help offset the costs of education, internships, living expenses and other opportunities. These scholarships are made possible by supporters such as AAJA members, allies and generous donors. To learn more about AAJA scholarships or donate, visit https://www.aaja.org/news-and-resources/scholarships-internships/.
