Eba Hamid seeks an educational opportunity when and wherever she can.

Like her father, who received a doctorate in political science from the University of Mississippi, Hamid has pursued her own educational excellence. Last year she was one of only five named to the Knight Ridder Minority Scholarship Program, which offers $40,000 over four years, four summer internships, and a chance for employment with the company. This summer she is interning with the New York Times Student Journalism Institute.

Born in Sudan, Hamid, a 19-year-old Hampton University sophomore, moved to the United States with her parents when she was 3.

Hamid initially wanted to be a police officer, but said she changed her mind after her older sister persuaded her to write for their high school newspaper, The Oxford Charger.

Hamid didn’t always like journalism, but her interest changed as she discovered the many sides of the craft. She decided to rejoin the paper the following year at her teacher’s request.

She continued her work with the paper and later became the editor.

Now a staff writer for the Hampton Script, her college’s newspaper, she wants to try photography, page design, and copy editing with the institute.

“I want to experience everything I can,” she said.

Hamid now wants to “protect and serve” her community – not as a cop – but with the skills she has learned as a journalist.

Later in her career she would like to be a media recruiter because she said newsrooms need to be more diverse to reflect the community.

TERRELL BRYANT