Friends and family of State High alum Bill Cahir and the SCASD Education Foundation came together in 2016 to create the The Bill Cahir Memorial Scholarship Fund for Journalism to honor the renowned journalist, former Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania’s 5th District, and US Marine Reservist killed in action in 2009 fighting for our country.

The fund gives students in the Journalism Program at State High the opportunity to attend at least one national journalism conference each year, and also gives them opportunities to participate in competitions related to writing, photography, broadcast, and design. 

Through these conferences and competitions, State High journalism students receive the opportunity to meet and collaborate with students from other schools and districts, get feedback on their work from current professional journalists, and discover new trends related to the field.

The fund seeks to provide additional support for SCASD journalism students as they seek to broaden their skill sets and learn what opportunities exist in journalism after high school. Up to three qualifying students annually will receive scholarship support to attend college/university-based journalism summer camps at places like Columbia, Boston University, and Penn State.  

Interested sophomore, junior, and senior students will be considered to participate in these experiences based on their enthusiasm and passion for the field, commitment to the Journalism Program, demonstration of leadership potential, and quality of work.

For more information, please contact Paul Olivett, Executive Director of the SCASD Education Foundation at 814-883-8067. 

For more information about Bill's story, click here. 

To donate, click here.