Hunner Moore, a West Virginia University Reed College of Media sophomore from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was one of two recipients of the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Scholarship. Moore accepted her award during a formal luncheon at The Greenbrier Resort on March 23.
“This award is not just an honor, it is a responsibility, and I pledge to utilize it to make a positive impact on the world around me,” Moore said during her acceptance speech. “This recognition means more than words can convey.”
As a high school student, Moore worked two jobs and lacked the financial resources to pursue higher education. She became the first person in her family to earn a high school diploma and immediately went to work full-time to save for a car and her own apartment.
“Eventually, after relentless dedication to work, I realized that pursuing a college education was my ticket to a better future,” Moore said. “I saved for two years and then packed my belongings into my car and headed to Morgantown, securing an apartment before even applying to WVU.”
Moore spent her first two years of college balancing a full-time course load with a 32-hour workweek until Gina Dahlia, assistant dean of academic affairs in the College of Media, connected her with student worker opportunities within WVU and the chance to serve as a 2024 Presidential Student Ambassador.
“I've had excellent professors and amazing opportunities,” said Moore, who’s majoring in Sports and Adventure Media. “My goal is to be a sports reporter for the NFL and eventually start my own podcast. Growing up my family never watched sports, but I used it as my safe place and taught myself the rules and always dreamed of being on the other side of the TV.”
The Virginia AP Broadcasters Scholarship is open to any undergraduate or graduate journalism student enrolled in a West Virginia or Virginia institution of higher education. As part of the application, students are asked to submit a resume and 200-word essay stating why they are applying for the scholarship. Finalists are invited to participate in a virtual interview with the selection committee, and two scholarships are awarded each year — to one student in West Virginia and one student in Virginia.
“Through her dedication to her studies and other commitments during her time at WVU, Hunner demonstrated a strong passion for broadcast journalism,” said Jay Webb, scholarship committee chair and vice president and general manager at WHSV in Harrisonburg, Virginia. “Hunner has a strong desire to learn more about the world around her. That will make her an asset to a local newsroom in the future. Beyond her well-rounded studies and life experiences, the VAPB Scholarship Committee found Hunner to be excited about her career goals and simply an overall pleasant person.”
Moore is continuing her student worker position at WVU over the summer and has an internship with the West Virginia Black Bears, a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. She hopes to use some of the Virginia AP Broadcasters Scholarship to study abroad.
“I’ve always worked so hard for everything I’ve ever had. Being handed a check big enough to cover my tuition next semester just made me feel very secure,” Moore said.