The Hortencia Zavala Foundation (HZF) has selected Jessica Meza for its 2025 summer internship program.

Meza is a Journalism & Advertising and Public Relations student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She will work with NPR’s Midwest Newsroom, the Latino News Network (LNN), and the Fulcrum.

“I’m so honored to be selected for this opportunity. I’m proud to be able to use my bilingual skills to bring attention to the midwest Latino community. With these skills, I want to bridge the gap between Spanish and English speakers,” said Meza. “I hope to bring more awareness on issues going on to the Latino community. As well as bringing local news to Latino’s through radio, social media, and online news.”

Meza will be able to report her own audio and digital stories from Nebraska Public Media’s Lincoln newsroom and remotely. NPM is a member of the Midwest Newsroom.

“We are very excited to work with Jessica Meza, who has already proven herself as a driven public service journalist,” said Holly Edgell, Managing Editor of the Midwest Newsroom. “The opportunity to continue our partnership with HZF makes this all the more gratifying. Like HZF, The Midwest Newsroom is committed to helping student journalists do work that will expand their skills and inspire them to keep growing.

The HZF was created in 2017 by Hugo Balta and his family to support young journalists while honoring the legacy of their maternal grandmother, “Abuelita,” Hortencia Zavala. Balta is the Publisher of LNN, Executive Editor of the Fulcrum, and twice president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).

“I’m elated to be able to partner once again with the Midwest Newsroom, and expand the relationship this year to include the Fulcrum. Collaboration is key to success,” said Balta. “I am grateful to play a small role in Jessica’s successful journalism journey.”

Among Meza’s published articles is, Nebraska Law Review presents ‘Democracy without Trust’ symposium, a two-day symposium hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, featuring a keynote speaker and 15 panelists who discussed the role of institutions in democracy.

Meza has also worked with the Nebraska News Service in producing the podcast, Inside the Writer’s Mind.

Her first day will be June 9. 

Cover Photo: Jessica Meza works with a fellow student (Provided by Jessica Meza)