By: Landry Steinkamp
Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Foundation gave a $1,500 grant to the Carlyle
Journalism program for three new Cannon cameras on Sept. 9 in Gina Shook’s classroom during
Introduction to Journalism class.
Jeff Rogers, the Illinois Press Foundation executive director, presented the check.
While visiting, he spoke to the students about the benefits of studying journalism and
how the industry is finding new ways to reach audiences.
The Carlyle program was one of 26 schools to be awarded a grant. There were more than
$35,000 in grants given to school this fall to protect and promote First Amendment rights.
“We’re grateful to continue to have Illinois Farm Bureau as a financial partner of this
valuable program again this year,” said Rogers, “The Illinois Farm Bureau’s commitment, along
with an increased financial commitment this year from the Illinois Press Foundation, has allowed
us to award more grants this year than any year of our partnership.”
This is the fifth year Illinois Farm Bureau has supported scholastic journalists through
this grant program, and Shook has received a grant from this foundation five times in the last ten
years.
“This proposal supports the First Amendment in that my students will have three working
cameras to capture the events of the week for the newspaper, our school website, and social
media,” Shook said.