Finding Her Voice: Marissa Perez Earns CCPRO Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism

Perez, a first-generation college student, recently received a scholarship from the California Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO), a recognition that affirmed not only her academic journey, but also her growth as a writer and aspiring journalist.

For Riverside City College student Marissa Perez, journalism started as a second choice — but it quickly became a calling.

“I feel grateful that everyone took the time to read my articles,” Perez said. “It means a lot to me as someone who is starting a career in journalism.”

Perez’s passion for storytelling took root at RCC, where she began writing for the student-run newspaper Viewpoints. Encouraged by her professor Angela Burrell, who shared the CCPRO scholarship opportunity with her class, Perez applied — her first time ever submitting for a scholarship.

“When I found out, I was on the phone with my close friend,” she recalled. “I opened my email and saw that I got the scholarship. I remember reading the email aloud. We both got excited, and then I went to share the news with my grandmother.”

For Perez, the award was more than financial assistance — it was a milestone of recognition in a setting where she hadn’t always felt seen. “In my family, I’m the first one to go to college, so academically, I always felt validated by them. But I never really felt validated in a school setting,” she said. “This made me feel heard as a student and that my articles were being appreciated.”

Her journey through RCC’s journalism program has been transformative. What started as an uncertain path has become a direction full of purpose, community, and growth. Through Viewpoints, Perez found more than a platform to publish — she found her voice and a network of peers who pushed her to evolve.

“Accepting criticism has been a challenge for me,” she admitted. “But now I can accept and acknowledge that I can grow from it. As a new writer, it can be hard to accept criticism when you put your heart into your articles. After winning the scholarship, I can see that criticism is a good thing.”

Perez gives credit to her fellow Viewpoints editors and professors at RCC for helping shape her path. “A thank you to my professors and fellow editors,” she said. “And thank you again to CCPRO.”

As she looks toward the future, Perez is more confident than ever in her place in the newsroom. With a growing portfolio and a new scholarship under her belt, she’s ready to keep writing — and to keep being heard.