Dear PPAGLA Scholarship Fund:

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles. The welcoming community of like-minded and talented industry professionals PPAGLA is invaluable to me. It is tremendously empowering to have people to look up to, who are pursuing careers that are my dreams. From the moment I set foot in the awards ceremony, I could feel the talent radiating throughout, filling me with an unmatched sense of journalistic pride. As a first generation, low income Salvadrorian, I never would have imagined I would be in the presence of such accomplished professionals, much less members of the same community. PPAGLA has opened the door for me, and continues to advocate for students, as well as representation and diversity in the fields of visual journalism. It was a privilege to be awarded one of the student video journalist awards, and the recognition will only further ignite my future aspirations to pursue a career in Spanish broadcasting.

I cannot wait to see what the future holds for PPAGLA, and I am blessed to be a part of its legacy. In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for the representation of Latinos in the News!

Thank You,


Gian Marco Velásquez
Runner Up Student Video Photojournalist of the Year
University of Southern California.

To Paul Van Allen, Nikon and the PPAGLA:

I wanted to express my undying gratitude and appreciation for the sponsorship with Nikon and having presented me with the new Nikon Z8 for being awarded student videographer of the year recognized by yourself and other professionals. It means a great deal to me to have been gifted such an amazing and top of the line piece of technology that happens to be a camera. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine being able to own such a pristine camera, especially in the profession that I’m in. Now with the Z8, I feel more than confident and ready to take on my next big journey in life, which is my profession as a broadcast journalist. Being that I most likely will start off as an multimedia journalist in a small market, this camera will set me up perfectly to create the best packages, and set me apart from the rest of my soon to be colleagues. Thank you again for your generosity and partnership with PPAGLA.

Isaiah Ruiz
Video Photojournalist of the Year
California State University Fullerton

Dear PPAGLA scholarship Fund:

Thank you to the PPAGLA Scholarship Fund for supporting student photojournalists like myself. The student contests help recognize the hard work that we put in, often for no pay and in our free time, and it gives a bit of encouragement to continue working. The prizes also support future projects and help pay for college.

Again, I would like to say how grateful I am for being chosen as the Student Stills Photographer of the Year runner-up. As I move from my college paper to freelancing or internships, the PPAGLA student contests provide me with something to put on my resume and funding for stories like the upcoming election in Mexico. Additionally, it provides a platform for my work to be shown to professional journalists who can provide feedback.


I am glad that PPAGLA exists, and I am thankful to be a member.

Caylo Seals

Runner-up Still Photojournalist of the Year
Santa Monica College

To Paul Van Allen, Nikon and the PPAGLA:

I wanted to express my undying gratitude and appreciation for the sponsorship with Nikon and having presented me with the new Nikon Z8 for being awarded student videographer of the year recognized by yourself and other professionals. It means a great deal to me to have been gifted such an amazing and top of the line piece of technology that happens to be a camera. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine being able to own such a pristine camera, especially in the profession that I’m in. Now with the Z8, I feel more than confident and ready to take on my next big journey in life, which is my profession as a broadcast journalist. Being that I most likely will start off as an multimedia journalist in a small market, this camera will set me up perfectly to create the best packages, and set me apart from the rest of my soon to be colleagues. Thank you again for your generosity and partnership with PPAGLA.

Isaiah Ruiz
Video Photojournalist of the Year
California State University Fullerton

Hello Paul Van Allen and PPAGLA Scholarship Fund:

This is Jon Putman the Student photojournalist who won the PPAGLA student competition you recently attended/sponsored. I just want to say again that I am beyond thankful for the new Z8 kit you guys were so generous to gift and have already started putting her through the races as my new workhorse camera. Has been an absolute game changer in terms of auto focus, which has been a god send shooting left handed and with only one arm. Funny thing is that I was just recently complaining to fellow students and co-workers that my 5 year old D850 with a failing shutter was slowly dying on me. Searched diligently for a Z6 or used Z7 but couldn't cough up the additional funds with the current cost of living and i'm sure we’re all feeling. Sure enough, I entered the competition only after the PPAGLA put a week extension on it and low and behold the stars aligned and gifted me with a brand new Z8 I desperately needed. Also, the additional $1500 that was an addition to the award allowed me to purchase the battery grip needed and FTZ adapter to use all my old glass on. Once again tremendously appreciative of you guys at Nikon and for the peers that selected and me, I will never forget the generosity and recognition from you all.

Thank You,

Jon Putman
Still Photojournalist of the Year
Santa Monica College