Local newspaper owner wins prestigious Jack Webster Foundation fellowship
By Lone Sheep Publishing
The recipients of the prestigious Jack Webster Foundation fellowships for 2010 have been announced and we here at Lone Sheep publishing are proud to announce that Mona Mattei, owner and editor of the Boundary Sentinel in Grand Forks, is a winner along with reporters from Global TV, the Vancouver Sun, and CBC News. Mattei will be using her fellowship to work on a post-graduate diploma in journalism through the London School of Journalism.
“I am really excited about the chance to continue to develop my skills as a journalist,” said Mattei. “As an owner of a new business, it’s often hard to find the extra funding needed to spend on training–so the fellowship offered by the Webster Foundation gives me the option to continue with my work and be able to do some training at the same time.
“I will be taking the first part of a post graduate diploma in journalism. I already hold a degree in economics from UBC, but as I decided to follow a career path in journalism, I want to access some formal training in the field. The course, through the London School of Journalism, will give me excellent credentials and more skills to bring to my work as editor of the Boundary Sentinel.” All in all, this fellowship is both a boost for Mattei and a sign that locally-owned, independent media is starting to be recognized and respected by the mainstream. Mattei appreciates the support: “I want to thank the Jack Webster Foundation for being a great support and incentive through their awards program to journalists across B.C. They challenge all of us to be the best in our field and actively help us to be exactly that.”
The other recipients of this year’s fellowships include Bal Brach of Global TV, Jill Bennett of CKNW Newstalk 980, Audrea Chan of Fairchild TV, Lisa Johnson of CBC News, and Gillian Shaw of the Vancouver Sun. We here at Lone Sheep couldn’t be prouder of Mona’s achievements or her fine newspaper! She’s a valuable colleague and a skilled journalist. And with a diploma from the London School of Journalism under her belt–watch out!
