Seeley-Swan graduate receives journalism scholarship

The Montana Newspaper Foundation awarded $1,000 Kavanagh Family Scholarships to two graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in journalism and education.

William Eaton graduated from Helena High School and worked at his school's paper for three years, serving as editor his senior year. Eaton achieved a 3.8 grade point average and will attend the University of Montana in Missoula this fall, majoring in English and minoring in journalism.

"Since I was young, reading and writing have always been what I strive for," Eaton said in his scholarship application. He plans to use his degrees to teach high school English and journalism.

Clara Kyrouac graduated from Seeley-Swan High School in Seeley Lake and worked on the school's yearbook, writing articles, taking photos and designing pages. Kyrouac also earned a 3.8 grade point average and will attend the University of Montana in Missoula this fall, majoring in journalism.

"As someone living in a small town, I know how important news coverage can be ," Kyrouac wrote in her scholarship application. She is interning this summer at her hometown newspaper, the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, and plans to work at a paper after she graduates from UM.

The MNF is primarily funded by donations from Montana journalists and news organizations. It provides scholarships for high school and college students. It also funds grants for internships at Montana newspapers and training for journalists in the state.

"The foundation is proud to help two aspiring journalists from Montana schools," said Jim Strauss, director of communications and development for the Montana Newspaper Association. "We're especially pleased that the recipients represent Montana's largest and smallest high schools. Talent and dreams come from all size schools."

The scholarships are named after the Kavanagh family, which for decades published local Montana newspapers in Shelby, Cut Bank, Browning and Valier.