ThreeSixty Journalism recently awarded France Aravena the 2021 ThreeSixty Scholarship. Aravena receives a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to study journalism in the Department of Emerging Media at the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, starting in fall 2021.
Each year, high school seniors who are graduates of a ThreeSixty summer journalism camp compete for the ThreeSixty scholar award valued at more than $160,000 over four years.
“It’s a big honor. I’ve always looked up to the other ThreeSixty scholars,” Aravena said. “Now I can be one of them as well.”
Aravena, a member of Wayzata High School’s 2021 class, joined ThreeSixty in the summer 2019 and has participated in News Reporter Academy, Radio Camp, Digital Media Arts Camp and ThreeSixty’s school year News Team.
Aravena was also selected to attend AAJA’s competitive JCamp and will do so this summer virtually.
For Aravena, the scholarship has a meaningful impact.
“It’s super amazing that I can continue exploring things and not have to worry so much about the huge financial burden of getting a secondary education,” Aravena said.
“France is incredibly deserving of this award. As a changemaker and leader unafraid to challenge the status quo, France undoubtedly has a bright future ahead,” said ThreeSixty Associate Director Theresa Malloy.
Aravena’s ThreeSixty portfolio includes a piece on USA Gymnast Sunisa Lee, a social media story about Main Street Project, an op-ed on the importance of wearing a face mask and a personal essay asking why teens can’t vote until they’re 18 years old, and more.
Currently, there are four ThreeSixty scholars attending St. Thomas.
