by Alli Inglebright
Calla Kessler, a senior journalism student in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, is a finalist in the Hearst Photojournalism Competition for her photo story “Fostering a Future” and a variety of news, portrait and sports photos taken throughout the year. Kessler has qualified for the national championship held May 29 – June 2, in San Francisco. She was one of six students selected from 197 entries received nationwide.
“Fostering a Future” follows the story of a 4-year-old girl named Arianna who has fetal alcohol syndrome and was adopted from the Pine Ridge Reservation by a family who lives in South Dakota.
“It’s an honor to represent University of Nebraska–Lincoln at the Hearst Photojournalism Championship,” Kessler said. “It’s a fun experience from which I learned a lot last year. I’ve also made some amazing and talented friends through the Hearst competitions, so I’m excited to spend time with the fellow photojournalists.”
Students competing in the championships will complete spot assignments for scholarship awards of up to $5,000.
According to The Hearst Journalism Awards Program website: “The program was founded in 1960 to provide support, encouragement, and assistance to journalism education at the college and university level. The program awards scholarships to students for outstanding performance in college-level journalism, with matching grants to the students’ schools.”
