April 10 marks deadline to apply for Valley Press Club scholarships
SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Press Club will award $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism.
- The Valley Press Club Scholarships, funded by contributions and dues to the Valley Press Club, are for students planning careers in print, online or broadcast journalism.
- The Republican Scholarship, funded by The Republican, is for students living within the newspaper’s circulation area who are planning careers in print journalism.
- The 22News Scholarship, funded by WWLP-22News, is for students planning careers in broadcast journalism.
- The MassLive Scholarship is for a Massachusetts high school senior planning to pursue a career in print, online or broadcast journalism/communication. This scholarship is available to a student who is underrepresented in the field of journalism and is planning to attend an institution of higher education in the field.
- The Edward J. Malley Jr. Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of a chief photographer for the Springfield Newspapers, is for students planning careers in photojournalism.
- The Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of the award-winning journalist, editor and author, honors her legacy by supporting students from the Greater Springfield area who aspire to careers in journalism and bring voices and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented in the field.
Primary emphasis is placed on career goals, writing ability, scholastic aptitude and overall
achievement as measured by an applicant’s high school transcript, class rank, academic
awards, SAT scores and extracurricular activities. The deadline for submissions is April 10.
Scholarship applications are available at ValleyPressClub.com or high school guidance offices. Applications may be sent by mail to Noreen Tassinari, Scholarship Chair, Valley Press Club, P.O. Box 5475, Springfield, MA 01102 or by email to NTassinari77@gmail.com.
Over the course of six decades, the Valley Press Club has presented more than $140,000 in scholarships to eligible students. The Valley Press Club consists of active and retired journalist and public relations professionals from corporate and nonprofit organizations.
MassDOT launches billboard design contest
BOSTON — The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has launched its fourth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week billboard design contest for Massachusetts college students. The contest aims to raise awareness about work-zone safety and encourages drivers to exercise caution when passing through active construction and maintenance projects.
The theme for the 2026 contest is “Safe Actions Save Lives,” emphasizing the role drivers play in protecting roadway workers and fellow travelers. By following traffic laws, slowing down and staying attentive, drivers help protect themselves and people in work zones.
Winning designs will be displayed on digital billboards along highways across Massachusetts during the 2026 construction season. The top three designs will receive scholarships provided by the Construction Industries of Massachusetts (CIM) and the Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association (MAAPA).
- First place: $1,000 and a three-month billboard display (June, August, November).
- Second place: $600 and two-month billboard display (July, October).
- Third place: $400 and one-month billboard display (September).
The contest closes April 17, and winners will be announced during the 2026 MassDOT Transportation Innovation Conference on May 5.
To review the submission guidelines, visit mass.gov/work-zone-billboard-contest-2026.
Tapestry Health holding annual fundraising gala
HOLYOKE — Tapestry Health will hold its annual fundraising gala on Friday, April 10, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Log Cabin in Holyoke.
The event will bring together community leaders, supporters and advocates to celebrate and raise money for Tapestry Health’s services. Guests will enjoy live music from Tony Harrington & Touch Band, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, all in support of Tapestry Health’s mission to provide inclusive sexual and reproductive health care, harm reduction and food access to residents across all four counties of western Massachusetts.
“This gala is a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and celebration,” Chief Development & Communications Officer Lisa Andrews said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and the many community members who come together each year to champion the mission of Tapestry. Their commitment helps strengthen the health and well-being of our region.”
For more information or to RSVP, visit tapestryhealth.org/2026gala or email giving@tapestryhealth.org.
Community Action extends election deadline
GREENFIELD — Community Action Pioneer Valley has extended the deadline to elect community representatives to its board of directors, giving eligible residents of Franklin and Hampshire counties additional time to vote and shape the leadership and priorities of the anti-poverty organization.
Voting is open through April 6. To be eligible to vote, residents must live in Franklin County or Hampshire County and have a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level.
Community Action Pioneer Valley serves more than 25,000 people each year through 40 programs. The board structure is designed to ensure the community has a voice in how the organization operates. The board includes community representatives elected by residents with low incomes, along with public officials and leaders from the private sector.
“Community Action was founded on the idea that the people closest to the challenges should help shape the solutions,” Community Action Pioneer Valley Executive Director Lev BenEzra said in a statement. “These elections help ensure that the voices of the people we serve remain at the center of our work.”
Board President Charity Day similarly emphasized the importance of community leadership in the organization’s work.
“Community Action Pioneer Valley champions voices like mine,” Day said in a statement. “The board of directors lifts up the ideas and priorities of people who have lived in poverty and benefited from anti-poverty programs. As board president, I have seen firsthand how these perspectives guide the agency’s work. One-third of our board seats are held by people with lived experience — because at Community Action, lived experience brings leadership.”
Community feedback also helps shape the organization’s programs. For example, participant feedback has led to expanded virtual appointments for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services, follow-ups with stores to address challenges families experienced using their food assistance benefits, additional evening programming at the Family Center and longer hours at several Head Start sites to better support working parents.
Residents can visit communityaction.us/board-of-directors-community-representative-elections for more information, to check eligibility based on household size and to vote.