2025 Gloria Shields Workshop
Workshop Scholarships
Starting in 2025, the Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop is offering two workshop student scholarships each year in memory of long-time committee members Carol Richtsmeier and Randy Vonderheid. The scholarships will cover the $140 summer workshop tuition.
The deadline to apply for a workshop scholarship is May 15, 2025. In addition to completing the application form, submit a letter explaining how the workshop scholarship would benefit you. A brief reference letter from your adviser is also required.
CAROL RICHTSMEIR SCHOLARSHIP
During her 27 years as a journalism teacher, Carol Richtsmeier, affectionately called “Richie” by her students, directed award-winning newspaper and yearbook programs at Lancaster High School, DeSoto High School and Midlothian High School. She was the first teacher to win the prestigious nationally endowed 2005 Courage in Student Journalism Award presented by the Student Press Law Center, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Newseum. The Courage in Student Journalism Award is given to those who have demonstrated exceptional determination and support for student press freedom despite resistance and challenging circumstances. In 2002, she was named the Max Haddick Texas Journalism Teacher of the Year and a Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Recognized Adviser. In 2009, she was named a Dow Jones Newspaper Distinguished Adviser. Richtsmeier was also a published author, penning the humorous book “How to Lose Your Self of Steam (and other lessons I never learned from professional development).”
RANDY VONDERHEID SCHOLARSHIP
When Gloria Shields was no longer able to direct the high school journalism workshop that she had created, she asked Randy Vonderheid to take her place. He was one of the original members of the workshop committee. “Mr. V,” as he was called by his students, had a long career teaching journalism and advising award-winning publications at Carthage High School, DeSoto High School, North Garland High School and Naaman Forest High School. Vonderheid stepped away from teaching for a few years to serve as director of the Interscholastic League Press Conference at the University Interscholastic League, but he eventually grew tired of a desk, four walls and a computer screen. He finished his teaching career at Frisco Centennial High School, mentoring journalism students and advising publications.