We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025-26 PenSPRA scholarship contest! Carina Reyes-Ortiz of the Parkway Center City Middle College and Una Cutrone of the Academy at Palumbo each achieved the incredible feat of perfect scores during the contest judging process. As a result, each will receive $1,000 toward their pursuit of higher education in the field of communications for the 2026-27 school year. Congratulations, Carina and Una!

Carina Reyes-Ortiz of the Parkway Center City Middle College

Carina Reyes-Ortiz discovered her path in communications through hands-on experiences serving her community, where she helped individuals navigate complex information related to housing, immigration, and public resources. Through internships with local government offices, she worked directly with constituents, translating unfamiliar systems and documents into language people could understand and use. These experiences shaped her belief that effective communication is essential to equity and access.

In her essay, she wrote, “It was not just policy. It was whether people could access and understand information,” capturing the clarity of purpose that drives her work.

Outside of her internships, Carina stays grounded in her community through cultural organizations and service initiatives that uplift and empower others. She plans to pursue journalism alongside political science and law at West Chester University, with the goal of ensuring people have clear, accurate information that can impact their lives.

Una Cutrone of the Academy at Palumbo

Una Cutrone has built a strong foundation in journalism through her leadership as editor-in-chief of The Bullhorn, the School District of Philadelphia’s only independent, student-run publication, where she led editorial teams and amplified community stories.

In her essay, she reflected, “Documenting these testimonies was a powerful experience, and represented my ultimate career goal: to amplify the voices that often go unheard.”

Her additional leadership in debate and civic initiatives further demonstrates her dedication to thoughtful communication and public service. Una plans to pursue a degree in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania, continuing to connect communities through meaningful storytelling.

We are proud to support future communications professionals like Carina and Una and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in their academic and professional careers!