Megaphone Vendors Win Scholarships to Enhance Journalism Skills

Two vendors from Megaphone, Gilles Cyrenne and Jathinder Sandhu, have been awarded scholarships to pursue a journalism course at Langara College this fall. This initiative is part of the Megaphone and Read Mercer Entrance Award, which aims to empower individuals from marginalized backgrounds to share their stories and report on their communities effectively.

The scholarship program, launched in collaboration with Langara’s journalism department, began with a pilot project in 2021. The first recipients, Nicolas Crier and Julie Chapman, successfully completed the Fundamentals of Reporting course. Following its success, Megaphone now offers an annual scholarship to assist those facing financial barriers in accessing journalism training. In 2022, the program supported Yvonne Mark and Mike McNeeley, while in 2023, Priscillia Mays Tait and Richard Young were selected as winners. Although Young will begin his course in 2024, he will attend alongside fellow recipient Eva Takakenew.

Wraparound Support for Scholarship Winners

Throughout the three-month course, which commences each September, Megaphone facilitates wraparound support for the scholarship recipients. This support includes access to on-campus resources, one-on-one time with instructors, mentorship from experienced editors, and a financial stipend. After completing their training, the vendor-reporters become part of Megaphone’s freelance journalist pool, taking on paid reporting assignments and mentoring future reporters.

Cyrenne expressed his motivation for pursuing journalism, citing a past career in education that ended due to personal struggles with depression and alcoholism. Now, with 38 years of sobriety and a renewed passion for education, he hopes to report on the vibrant creativity of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, shedding light on issues such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction. His work has been published in various outlets, including Voices of the Street and Megaphone magazine.

Sandhu, who previously applied for journalism in 1989, sees this scholarship as a chance to further her understanding of media representation of mental health issues. With 21 years of sobriety and a background in communications, she aims to highlight the treatment of mentally ill South Asian women both in Canada and abroad. Sandhu has contributed to several publications, including the Carnegie Newsletter and Megaphone magazine, and she remains committed to advocating for social justice.

Both scholarship winners are eager to enhance their journalism skills and contribute to a more informed narrative about their communities. Their stories reflect the transformative power of education and the critical role of journalism in social advocacy. As they embark on this journey, Cyrenne and Sandhu look forward to using their voices to foster understanding and change within their communities.