Student Wins 2019 SDABJ Journalism Scholarship

Jonathan Valencia, a School of Journalism and Media Studies junior, was recently awarded the 2019 Scholarship from the San Diego Association of Black Journalists (SDABJ) on May 9.

Valencia is hoping to pursue his dream of becoming a sports reporter.

During the upcoming year, he will write for the Daily Aztec and will continue to work at Chipotle.

During the scholarship awards banquet for SDABJ, Valencia spoke about how much the scholarship meant to him and how his family faced homelessness during his junior year of high school. Valencia said that for a time period of around five months he would live either at his friend’s homes or would sleep in his car before going to school.

“Even with all of the homelessness, not having a permanent place to stay, and sleeping at friends houses, that was the year I got the highest GPA. I took the most AP classes. That was the year that got me into SDSU.” said Valencia.

Valencia has two younger sisters and is the first in his family to attend college.

“I am avid about going to college,” said Valencia. “Even with the stuff that has gone on in my life, I don’t know how to stop. I can’t give up and I just keep going.”

Although living in the SDSU dorms was a very different experience than growing up in Lake Elsinore, CA, Valencia is grateful for the opportunity to meet and live with people from all around the world.

Valencia also expressed his gratitude for the guidance of Assistant Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, Alaine Lockwood.

“She was the first one to help me, I appreciate her a lot,” said Valencia.

“I know there’s probably a lot of people in the same situation,” said Valencia. “I would want them to see this as a motivation and inspire them, and show them that it’s possible to still pursue your dream.”