PROVIDENCE, R.I. –– Ocean State Media today announced Alexander Razo as the recipient of the 2026 Ocean State Media Scholarship. A graduating senior at Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center in Providence, Razo will attend Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) this fall to study film, animation, and video.
“Supporting emerging media professionals and storytellers is one of the most important investments we can make,” said Pam Johnston, president and CEO of Ocean State Media. “Alexander has already shown so much talent, promise, and passion for creating art and telling stories through film, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the field.”
This is the ninth year that Rhode Island’s public media organization has awarded scholarships through a $1 million scholarship fund created at the Rhode Island Foundation. The selection was made by a review committee coordinated by the Foundation.
“We are grateful for donors like Ocean State Media that appreciate the value of investing in the next generation. As the recipients go on to college, begin their careers and add to the civic life of their communities, the impact these scholarships have will be felt for decades,” said David N. Cicilline, the Rhode Island Foundation’s president and CEO.
The Ocean State Media Scholarship offers up to $15,000 to students from Rhode Island and the South Coast of Massachusetts who showcase the promise of a successful career in journalism and media. The award is renewable for up to three additional years.
“Growing up, I didn’t always have access to artistic resources or opportunities, and most of the time had to look for them. This support will not only make my dream of attending college a reality, but it will also allow me to focus on my studies and education, without the constant stress of financial strain,” said Razo.
Razo is a resident of Providence involved in filmmaking and art, participating in programs like RISD Pre-College, RISD Project Open Door, New Urban Arts, and DownCity Design. A first-generation college student, Razo has professionally worked as a church videographer and wedding second-shooter and earned a gold medal in the SkillsUSA Video Production competition. He is drawn to VHS aesthetics and retro visuals, intrigued with how an imperfect visual can produce a deeper meaning for the viewer. He aims to communicate stories that don’t usually make it on screen, and open possibilities for young creatives who grew up from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Ocean State Media Scholarship was created by then-Rhode Island PBS in 2017 and is open to graduating high school seniors planning to attend an accredited 4-year post-secondary school, or current students who are enrolled at an accredited four-year institution. Next year’s application window will open in January 2027.
