John D. Graham Leadership Scholarship Award, 2020

First Place Winner, Jenna DePellegrini, President of PRSSA

An award like this comes with a sense of pride and accomplishment as an acknowledgment of ones success and hardwork is the ultimate form of flattery and admiration from one person to another. Thus, I simultaneously astonished and thankful for the acknowledgment this award brings to my professional and academic efforts. Since my freshman year and American University, I have dedicated myself to our PRSSA chapter, learning each day how to improve my professionalism and decorum whilst also improving benefits our chapter gives to its members. PRSSA is unique in that it is a pre-professional organization that strives to prepare and connect aspiring public relations and communications students with the tools they need to succeed, and I can say with complete certainty that it is due to the hard work and support of this chapter that I was even awarded this scholarship in the first place.

I’ve learned that you only get what you put into an organization, and upon joining PRSSA, I was determined to make my experience with the chapter the best it could be; and the output was I have not only improved my network connections and skills for my future career, but I have also made the best of friends and had the best of experiences with the members of this chapter. It is truely only with the support and dedication of my fellow chapter members that I have also had the motivation to be the best I can be. When I received this scholarship award, I was humbled and proud, knowing that my hardwork paid off and that it was only through the contributions of others that I was able to achieve all that I have been able to do so far.

I am priviledged and appreciative of this award that I have recieved, and it makes me more determined to lead and keep learning how to improve our chapter and my professional career. The recognition that comes with this award makes more more determined than ever to make PRSSA the best that it can be whilst I am President, and to continue doing so once I graduate and become an alumni.