Three Nebraska Students Win $2,000 Broadcasting Scholarships

Three college students with big dreams just got a financial boost to make their broadcasting careers a reality.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association awarded $2,000 scholarships to Alexis Forney, Lexi Johnson, and Lucia Mendez this week. Each student brings a unique vision for how they'll serve their communities through media.

Alexis Forney studies electronic media at Wayne State College and plans to become a television anchor after graduating in 2029. She's preparing to be the face delivering news that matters to viewers across the state.

Lexi Johnson takes a different path with her agricultural communications degree at Fort Hays State University. After graduating in 2028, she plans to use radio to inform communities about agriculture, giving voice to farmers and rural America.

Lucia Mendez is pursuing both broadcasting and journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with graduation set for 2027. Her dream? Becoming a travel broadcaster or videographer, showing audiences the world through her lens.

The Ripple Effect

This scholarship program does more than help individual students pay tuition. It's powered by Nebraska Broadcasters Association member stations who fund, promote, and review every application themselves.

These local stations know firsthand what the industry needs. They score applications and select winners who show both academic achievement and real potential to strengthen Nebraska journalism.

By investing in homegrown talent, these broadcasters ensure Nebraska stories get told by people who understand the state's communities. Each scholarship creates a pathway for diverse voices to enter newsrooms and radio stations across the region.

The program recognizes that supporting future journalists strengthens democracy itself. Informed communities need skilled communicators, and these three students are already proving they have what it takes.

As the NBA told the winners, this scholarship is more than a reward; it's a helping hand toward the opportunities waiting in their future careers. Their hard work earned this recognition, and Nebraska broadcasting will benefit from their dedication for years to come.