PCC Scholarship for Performing Arts Students with Music Passion Paper

Write a release as through you work in the media office for Pasadena City College. 

Here are the raw facts you got fro talking with people at PCC:

We have a new scholarship at PCC

It’s called the Mabel Moneybags Award

One student per year can win it

It will go to a student in performing arts who is bad at math but good at music. Maybe we shoduln’t say “bad” but you get the idea. 

They will get $20,000 to use on life and school expenses for the whole year. 

For this year, it will be awarded in a ceremony by the reflecting pools on June 1, 2024. 

The college Jazz Band will play at the ceremony.

Mabel Moneybags also paid for eight-time Grammy Award-winner Stevie Wonder to sing at the award ceremony. He will perform some of his greatest hits in a short free outdoor concert before the ceremony. The winning student will also get to perform a song with Stevie Wonder.

Quotes from Foundation Director Charles Cashley that you can use: 

“This is very exciting. We have never been able to offer a scholarship award of this size before in the history of the college.”

“Mabel Moneybags was a generous person who will leave a legacy behind for many years to come. “

“This award is for a student who best exemplifies the characteristics of her deceased husband, Mitch Moneybags. Mr. Moneybags was bad at math, a wonderful karaoke singer, and extremely lucky.”

“This is not your average scholarship, to say the least!”

“Stevie Wonder is an icon and we are thrilled that he will share the stage with PCC students.”

Mabel lives in Pasadena. She likes going to concerts at PCC. She made money in real estate and has made previous donations to the PCC Foundation, but none this big.

PCC offers a lot of other scholarships through our Foundation every year.

Find information for your boilerplate and media contact details here: https://pasadena.edu/about/quick-facts.php

STEP 1: Write an Attention-grabbing Headline

This must grab people’s attention and clearly explain what the release is about. The three core tenets of writing a press release headline are:

• Use action verbs
• Be direct
• Be comprehensive

Important: The most newsworthy part of the story needs to be referenced in the headline.

STEP 2. Craft Your Lead (aka Lede) and First Paragraph

Your lead is the first paragraph in your press release. Usually consisting of 35 to 45 words, it summarizes the most critical parts of your press release. Include the date before the lead.

This first paragraph has to answer the “5 Ws” as concisely as possible.

• Who: Who’s involved in the news story? Which person or company is involved?
• What: What’s happening? What’s it about?
• When: When did this story or event happen? When is it going to happen?
• Where: Where did this story or event take place?
• Why: Why is this information relevant to a reader of these media outlets?

STEP 3. Write Your Body Paragraphs

The goal of the body is to describe all the relevant details of the story and your brand’s involvement in it. The key word here is relevant. This should be easily skimmable information – often just 3-6 short paragraphs in length – provided in decreasing levels of importance.

It’s a very good idea to add in quotes throughout the body to back up your arguments.

STEP 4: Write Your “Boilerplate” Text

Your boilerplate is a standardized copy of what your organization is and stands for. When you write a boilerplate, you are essentially condensing facts, business aspirations and marketing goals – all into one short paragraph.

STEP 5: Add Media Contact Details

You need to include your media contact information for reporters to get in touch with you. Include your email and phone number.