First-year Colorado College journalism student Margaret Freeman won a print journalism scholarship award from the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. 

She accepted the $1,000 Helen Verba Award on April 5 at the SPJ’s regional conference in Denver. The theme of this year’s conference was “Fundamentals and the Future.” 

"I am so honored to have received this award and to have the opportunity to continue studying journalism at CC,” Freeman said. 

Each year, the SPJ Colorado Pro chapter offers awards and scholarships to high school and college students across the state, including the Verba Scholarship. 

Helen Verba, who the award is named for, was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, which is now known as the Society of Professional Journalists. She worked at The Denver Post from 1951 until she retired in 1978. 

“Margaret stood out as a strong applicant in a year with many strong applicants,” said SPJ Colorado co-president Doug Bell. “From founding her high school paper as a sophomore to reporting for The Catalyst at Colorado College, Margaret's commitment to a journalism career has been unwavering, and her academic excellence and published work were key in receiving a 2025 Verba Scholarship.”

In her first year at Colorado College, Freeman, who is from Denver, has written several articles for The Catalyst student newspaper. She has covered student government, reported on a controversial city ordinance, spotlighted student clubs, explained what was on Colorado’s 2024 statewide ballot, and more. 

“The support both in the journalism classes and with The Catalyst has been monumental in my growth as a writer,” Freeman said. “I look forward to continuing to build my skills in the next three years here."