FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2025

Highlights Foundation Invests in 55 Storytellers to Support Their Work to Inspire Kids 

Honesdale, PA — The Highlights Foundation recently awarded 55 scholarships to aspiring and established children’s authors and illustrators. You can see a list of recipients and their awarded scholarships below. 

The Highlights Foundation scholarship program began nearly 40 years ago, around the time the Foundation was established. While its scope has grown, the program’s purpose remains unchanged: to invest in storytellers and their ability to create long-term positive change by inspiring kids through literature. 

Scholarships include full tuition for in-person workshops, community retreats, personal retreats, and online courses at the Highlights Foundation in 2025.  

These opportunities are made possible through generous donations from Highlights Foundation supporters and partner organizations who believe in the Foundation’s mission: to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire young readers. 

“Our commitment to supporting storytellers stems from a fundamental belief that stories have the power to shape young minds and transform lives,” said George Brown, Executive Director of the Highlights Foundation. “By investing in these authors and illustrators, we are investing in the next generation of readers, thinkers, and dreamers. We are proud to play a role in bringing their voices to children everywhere.” 

This year’s scholarship recipients demonstrated a deep passion for storytelling and a shared commitment to inspiring children through their work. Their creativity and dedication reflect the core values of the Highlights Foundation.  

“An avid bookworm when I was younger, I remember being transported to different worlds through the pages of books. As a Black woman, it’s important to me to write stories for kids who may not always see themselves as main characters. I want to tell big, fantastical tales that inspire children to dream big and pursue their own amazing possibilities,” writes Sibylla Nash, recipient of the Christine & Kenneth Taylor-Butler Scholarship. 

“My passion for children’s storytelling stems from loving books as a child. I spent lunchtimes on a bench with a book in hand. I also won several writing contests in upper elementary to middle school. That joy to write for kids (even as a child) has never left me. Now as an adult with a love of research, nonfiction or informational stories about natural sciences has been my new creative focus area. Nonfiction stories empower kids to explore places they’ve never been to or find answers to questions in a safe place,” writes Melissa Mwai, recipient of an Inspire Scholarship.   

“As a Brazilian artist and educator, I find that children’s literature—especially picture books—offers the perfect intersection of art, narrative, and education. It combines the power of visual storytelling with the ability to inspire young minds, providing both an artistic outlet and a platform for learning. I am passionate about contributing to this conversation by creating a body of work that nurtures creativity, cultural awareness, and emotional growth in the next generation,” writes Tatiana Gardel, recipient of the Diversify Science Scholarship for Illustrators. 

In 2025, the Highlights Foundation received nearly 600 applications for scholarships in 2025. They were honored to support 55 storytellers this year, with many awardees listed below. (Some scholarships are not matched with awardee names because they wish to remain anonymous.) 

To contribute to the Highlights Foundation Scholarship program, donate online at https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/donate-online/.
  

Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients  

In addition to the scholarships named below, four scholarships have been awarded that the recipient wishes to remain anonymous: the newly established Neurodiverse Kidlit Scholarship, the Floyd Cooper Scholarship, the Jewish Voices Scholarship, and the Alicia D. William Scholarship for single parents.  

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CONTACTS:

George Brown, Executive Director, Highlights Foundation

(George.Brown@highlightsfoundation.org)