2025-2026 Recipients

Please join the Headliners Foundation's Board of Governors in congratulating the 2025-26 scholarship recipients. Click here for the Foundation’s media release announcing this year's outstanding student journalists.


Founder’s scholar

Sara Solano Aguirre is an international student from Colombia and a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. Moving from Medellin to Pensacola and transferring to Austin, a constant in her journey has been a passion for writing in both English and Spanish to stay connected with her roots and increase Hispanic viewership.

At Austin PBS, Sara is the Weekly News Show Intern, where she produces short documentaries and social media content that spotlight community. As a Spanish news translator for The Daily Texan and a podcast producer for The Drag, she ensures diverse narratives reach a broader audience. She is also involved with Texas Student Television, interviewing talent at film festivals. Additionally, she volunteers as a writer for the digital magazine LatAm Journalism Review, focusing on stories from Colombia.


Ellen and Mark Morrison Scholar

Vivien Ayers is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in journalism and sustainability studies. This past semester, Ayers served as the news editor for The Daily Texan, the campus' official student newspaper, where she worked to ensure accurate, investigative coverage of a myriad of topics, including the impacts of the Trump administration's implementation of immigration laws and the ongoing Texas legislative session. For the prior five semesters, Ayers worked for The Daily Texan as a news desk editor and a senior news reporter, where she covered issues in the Austin-metro area and breaking news. After graduating in 2026, Ayers plans to specialize in environmental reporting.


Darrell K. Royal Scholar

Macy Bayer is an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University, where she is pursuing dual degrees in journalism and marketing with a minor in political science through the John V. Roach Honors College. In her first year, she contributed to TCU’s student-run media outlet TCU 360 as a reporter, anchor, and news writer, while helping produce the sports show Unscripted and the pop culture segment The Leap. Bayer also designed pages for the student newspaper, The Skiff, and DJs weekly for the college radio station, KTCU. In addition to her roles in student media, Bayer represents the university as a TCU Ambassador and a Social Media Ambassador for the Honors College. Through these roles, she creates content spotlighting student life, alumni, and academic opportunities. As the Campus Affairs Chair for the Student Government Association, she advocates for students and works on initiatives enhancing safety and security, student wellness, and everyday life. Bayer interned at KTEN News in Denison, Texas during the summer of 2025 and plans to pursue a career as an investigative reporter and news correspondent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area following graduation in May 2028.



founders Scholar

Isabella Castillo is an English major with a minor in Journalism at Texas Woman’s University. She currently writes for The Lasso, TWU’s student newspaper, and interned during the spring and summer at People Newspapers in Dallas, gaining experience in both campus and community reporting. Passionate about storytelling, media, and amplifying diverse voices, Castillo brings strong writing, research, and editorial skills to every assignment. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism where she can continue creating impactful, engaging content.


Sarah and Ernest Butler Scholar

Emily DeMotte is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in journalism and pursuing a minor in law, justice and society. DeMotte has worked as both a projects and news reporter over four semesters at The Daily Texan, most recently serving as the associate projects editor. She is also a senior producer for The Drag Audio Production House, where she previously served as a producer, contributing to various long-form podcast series. This fall, she will begin as a writing coach for the Moody Writing Support Program and Data Fellow for the Media Innovation Group. She enjoys covering public issues, criminal justice and human interest stories, and is most interested in long-form and feature-style reporting. DeMotte plans to graduate in May 2027 and hopes to work as a news reporter while pursuing a career in investigative journalism.



Sam Wood Scholar

Abbey Ferguson is a senior Broadcast Journalism student at Baylor University with minors in History and Corporate Communications. Abbey is an award-winning student journalist, and she currently works for KWTX in Waco. With live, on-air experience at an internship at KDRV Newswatch 12 last summer, she is excited to step into a career in reporting after graduation in May. Before leaving Baylor, she will publish her honors thesis, which examines the barriers for women in broadcast journalism to advocate for better work-life policies. 


founders Scholar

Melanie Jackson is a rising senior at Southern Methodist University, majoring in Journalism with minors in Business and Human Rights. At SMU, Jackson is the incoming Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Campus, the student-run newspaper, and was previously a producer for Hilltop Now, the broadcast news show. Jackson also served as the president of SMU’s Association of Black Journalists. This summer, Jackson will intern for NBC News in their DC bureau. In 2024, she interned for Scripps News Longform, collaborating with producers and correspondents on episodes of the documentary series, In Real Life. In this role, she also assisted the political unit with Supreme Court coverage, and in the field at the White House, the 2024 NATO Summit, and the Capitol. With a passion for multi-media storytelling, after graduating in May 2026, Jackson hopes to become a news reporter or producer, with a special interest in longform and investigative journalism. 


Bess Whitehead Scott Scribes Scholar

Yelizaveta “Liza” Kalinina is a graduate student at Texas State University pursuing a master’s degree in Mass Communication. A former independent journalist in Russia, she conducted investigations into corrupt officials until a government crackdown on free press forced her to stop. She now reports for the data-driven media outlet founded by Texas State professors, Texas Community Health News, with some of her work published in The Texas Tribune and serves as a Graduate Instructional Assistant, mentoring undergraduate reporters. Kalinina also continues to teach children and adults back in her studio in Russia to distinguish facts from misinformation.  Liza previously worked as a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Transport and as a Media Operations volunteer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, assisting international journalists. Kalinina plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and ultimately lead a Russia-focused investigative media outlet while conducting research on global media systems and democratic resilience to authoritarian propaganda.


George A. McElroy Scholar

Aynsley Larsen is a senior at Texas Tech University’s Honors College pursuing a degree in journalism with a concentration in international and intercultural communication. Larsen is the current Managing Editor at The Daily Toreador, Texas Tech’s student-run newspaper. In her two and a half years at the publication, Larsen previously served as the news editor and features editor, and spent a semester as a staff writer. As a writer and editor, Larsen has reported on breaking news, campus and city events, feature profiles and a range of other local and national topics. Larsen is also a member of the Times Corps, a career mentorship program through the New York Times, which pairs her with a Times reporter for advice, conversation and frequent meetings. Additionally, Larsen mentors freshmen through Texas Tech’s Honors College, as well as incoming communications students. She plans to graduate in May 2026 and hopes to pursue a career in international and investigative storytelling.

FOUNDERS SCHOLAR

Blake Leschber is an undergraduate student at Texas State University majoring in public relations and minoring in international studies. Leschber serves as the editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, The University Star, where he also previously worked as the managing editor, news editor, assistant news editor and news reporter. These roles allowed Leschber to win multiple photo and story awards in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. In the summer, Leschber is working as an editorial intern for The Austin Chronicle, which allows him to write stories, brief events and fact check. After graduation, Leschber wants to be a news reporter for a local print newspaper focused on community reporting.

founders Scholar

Arianna Nevarez is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism. This past semester, she worked as an events fellow with The Texas Tribune, where she helped manage and build a strong community within the events. During the summer, Arianna was an Orientation Advisor working with the Moody College of Communication to ensure the incoming students had the resources they needed for success in their first year. In the upcoming years, she hopes to explore multiple fields of journalism. Ultimately, she is passionate about journalism and hopes to make a difference.



FOUNDERS SCHOLAR

Kimberly Olivas is a senior at Texas State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with minors in Psychology and Sociology. She currently works as a Digital Media Assistant at The Graduate College, where she produces multimedia content, develops digital campaigns, and manages communication workflows. Olivas also serves as an assistant producer at KTSW 89.9, the university’s student-run radio station. Her reporting experience includes covering local food businesses in San Marcos, with stories featured on the front page of the San Marcos Daily Record. Drawing from her multicultural background, Olivas approaches storytelling with depth and purpose. After graduating in 2026, she hopes to pursue a career in journalism that blends digital, broadcast, and print platforms to create inclusive media that informs and connects diverse communities.



founders scholar

Candace Taggart is a rising senior at Texas State University pursuing a degree in Digital Media and Innovation. This summer Taggart will intern in Washington D.C. with The Fund For American Studies program under Matt Laslo of Laslo Congressional Bureau, covering congressional news. Taggart has been a news reporter for Texas State's student-run newspaper The University Star for two years, covering general assignment to environment and transportation. Taggart was the events coordinator and secretary for Texas State's chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and will return as an officer for the 2025-26 school year. Taggart was also the Director of Logistics and Sponsorships for Bobcat Build's Big Event, Texas State's massive one day community service event. She will be the Director of Public Relations for Bobcat Build's Big Event 2025-26. After graduation, Taggart plans to pursue a career in digital media and outreach, hoping to apply her media design skills. 



Founders scholar

Phoebe Terry is a senior at West Texas A&M University majoring in digital communication and media with an emphasis in digital journalism and minoring in political science. Terry is the web producer at the Amarillo Tribune, a nonprofit news organization serving Amarillo, Texas, and the surrounding area. Previously, she served as the editor-in-chief of The Ranger and The Current, Amarillo College’s student-run newspaper and magazine, respectively. She also plans to pursue a master's degree in photography after she earns her bachelor's degree.



George Christian Scholar

Athena Tseng is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a journalism degree and minoring in statistics and data science. In the previous semester, Tseng served as the director of digital strategy for The Daily Texan, UT’s award-winning student newspaper, where she oversaw the organization’s digital operations and led efforts to expand audience reach and streamline content workflows. Tseng is currently the Texas Country Reporter Engagement Fellow with Texas Monthly and will be joining Kubota this summer as an internal communications intern. After graduating in 2027, Tseng hopes to continue working at the intersection of storytelling, strategy and digital media.


founders scholar

Olivia Turner is a senior at Baylor University pursuing degrees in journalism and sociology. Olivia started off as an Arts & Life Writer at the Baylor Lariat during her freshman year. As a sophomore, Turner advanced to the opinion editor position and in her junior year, took on the role of arts & life editor, which she will continue to occupy this fall in her last semester. Post-grad, Turner aspires to become a writer for a big-city paper. 


stuart long SCHOLAR

Hope Vanderburg is a senior journalism major at the University of Texas at Austin with minors in media & entertainment industries and professional sales & business development. With a passion for broadcasting, Vanderburg has been highly involved with Texas Student Television (TSTV) at UT since her freshman year. She most recently served as the executive producer of TSTV’s evening newscast, Texas News PrimeTime. Her additional journalism experience includes serving as a journalism coach for the Moody Writing Support Program, newsletter writer for The Daily Texan, and contributing writer for Cypress Lifestyle magazine. Vanderburg is thrilled to be working as a news intern at FOX 26 Houston for summer 2025 and previously interned at FOX 7 Austin. Upon graduating in May 2026, Vanderburg hopes to pursue a career as a television news reporter/anchor.