Next generation of journalists will be supported through scholarship created in honor of Virginia reporter killed in shooting last year

NORFOLK, Virginia — A Virginian-Pilot reporter was killed in Downtown Norfolk last year. Her family hopes that her story will live on in the next generation of journalists.

As part of the Sierra Jenkins Scholarship, the deadline is coming up for the first round of funding. The goal of the fund is to help Virginia students at four-year colleges and universities get a degree in journalism.

In the school year 2023-2024, the first scholarships will be given out. March 1 is the last day to apply.

“Sometimes, every day is hard for the family. “Everyone is taking their time to enjoy their moments,” said Matheau Hall, Sierra Jenkins’s cousin.

Hall never goes a day without thinking about Jenkins.

In March 2022, five people were shot outside of Chicho’s Backstage. One of them was a journalist who was 25 years old. Jenkins, Marquel Andrews, and Devon Harris were the three people who died. Two more victims were able to live.

“Some days you’re happy when you wake up. “Some days you don’t say anything when you wake up,” he said.

Hall said that the family is getting through the pain by doing what Jenkins did best: making a difference in people’s lives.

“One thing that Sierra was very proud of was making sure that the community was always involved,” said Hall. “So being able to give back to a local student or students is like a dream.”

Students who want to get a scholarship must be studying print or digital journalism, and Black students or students from other racial or ethnic groups that have been historically left out will be given priority.

The Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Press Foundation asked the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to take care of the scholarship fund.

Deborah M. DiCroce, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, said, “We are honored that the Virginia Press Association and Virginia Press Foundation chose us to manage this special scholarship fund.” “Sierra’s death is a tragedy for no reason, and we feel bad for her family and friends. The fund will help students who believe in the power of journalism to inform, enlighten, and inspire keep Sierra’s memory and love alive forever.

“We think it’s important for students to be able to go to college. “That was important to Sierra and her family, so it’s an honor for us to give this scholarship to students interested in journalism,” said Robin Foreman-Wheeler, who works for HRCF and knows Sierra’s family.

Jenkins’s family members celebrated her mother’s birthday on Tuesday, which was the first one without Sierra.

Even though the suspect was not charged, they are still waiting for justice for her death.

“You want the criminal justice system to do its job and close the case and lock up the bad guy. But in this case, that person is out and about and talking to us right now,” Hall said.

Hall said that for now, their main goal is to make sure that Sierra’s passion for journalism lives on in the next generation of journalists.

Hall said with a smile, “And know that once you get this scholarship, you are now part of the family.” “We will make sure that you do your schoolwork.