The Virginia Press Women Foundation (VPWF) is proud to announce Chloe McCann, a junior at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as the winner of the 2026 Agnes Cooke Scholarship.

McCann, who is majoring in Communication and Digital Studies with a double minor in Journalism and Security and Conflict Affairs, receives a $3,000 scholarship to support her studies and student membership in Virginia Professional Communicators (VPC). She has also been invited to attend VPC’s fall conference later this year.

Chloe McCann at the VPC Fall Luncheon

“Chloe McCann represents the exact blend of talent, passion and professional commitment that the Agnes Cooke Memorial Scholarship was created to honor,” said Victoria Bourne, president of the Virginia Press Women Foundation. “Her ability to unearth surprising human-interest pieces — like her wonderful story about a shoeless philosopher who wanders the streets of Fredericksburg with his four greyhound dogs — demonstrates a rare talent for finding narratives that might otherwise go untold.”

VPWF saw a 60% uptick in student applications this year. Bourne said of the many fantastic submissions the board reviewed, what truly set McCann apart was the remarkable depth and personal voice in her application. “She really showed us who she is and what she cares about.”

“I am honored to be named the recipient of the Agnes Cooke Memorial Scholarship,” said McCann of Arlington, Virginia. “To be recognized for my journalistic work is truly a blessing that has allowed me to reflect on where my hard work and passion have taken me. This accomplishment is the encouragement I needed to continue with my diligent efforts to produce quality journalism that sheds light on the characters that sometimes go unnoticed.”

In her application, McCann wrote she has always felt a strong sense of justice and curiosity, leading her to journalism at an early age. She wrote for the school paper in elementary school, and grew up watching NBC’s “Today” show with her mother in the mornings.

“Throughout my life, journalism has always played a significant role for me, and as I grew older, I found myself actively seeking out more opportunities related to it,” she wrote.

McCann serves in three different editorial positions at UMW, including The Weekly Ringer school newspaper, The Rappahannock Review literary journal, and Columns, a humanities and social science journal. McCann said she hopes her experiences as an editor will set her up for a successful career, having gained a better understanding of the inner workings of news.

As a journalist, she said she is most interested in spotlighting injustices that exist within everyday life. An investigative piece regarding UMW’s failure to report a road rage incident next to its campus as required by law was among her submitted writing samples.

“Chloe is an outstanding student and a gifted storyteller, and we are proud to support her as she continues to use her curiosity and strong sense of justice to shine a light on both important and everyday stories,” Bourne said.

The Agnes Cooke Memorial Scholarship honors a charter member of what was once the Virginia Press Women (VPW), and now known as Virginia Professional Communicators. Cooke, who lived in Kinsale, served as VPW president from 1964 to 1966. Described by the Kinsale Foundation as “an inveterate newshound and editor,” Cooke was well known for chronicling everyday events in Virginia’s Northern Neck. In 1985, Cooke was honored by the Kinsale Foundation for “years of promoting and securing the well-being of the community.” VPW created the foundation that now administers the scholarships in her honor after her death in 1991.

The Virginia Press Women Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the next generation of communications professionals. Through its annual scholarship program, the foundation provides financial assistance to outstanding college students pursuing careers in journalism, public relations and other related fields.