22News scholarship recipient introduced

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A scholarship funded by 22News and presented by the Valley Press Club will help West Springfield High School graduate Ariana Sandillo reach her dream of becoming a TV news reporter.

22News reporter Sy Becker introduced Ariana and her family to the WWLP newsroom on Friday.

Jaclyn Cashman and technical Director Deb Houle met with Ariana to give her some advice for the future.

Ariana will be attending Emerson College in the fall where she plans to major in journalism.

During her high school years she has served a stint as Editor of the West Springfield High School newspaper and writes articles for the Springfield Republican's UN-listed teenage news page.

Ariana's credentials that made her the 22News scholarship recipient are backed by a drive and determination to reach the top of her field.

"Through my academics I've always tried to challenge myself with hard classes, taking sports alongside Advanced Placement classes and working two jobs. I'm willing to do anything that I possibly can to make this work for me, because I can't picture myself anywhere else," explained Ariana.

She will be formally awarded the scholarship on Saturday, alongside five other budding journalists who also were awarded various journalism scholarships by the Valley Press Club.

They other recipients include:

• Frank Kelleher, Westfield High School
• Katherine Glidden, Holyoke High School
• Elizabeth Murray, Hoosac Valley High School
• Catherine Tompson, West Springfield High School
• James Grzelak, The McDuffie School