Youth Journalism International connects teen writers, artists and photographers with peers around the globe, teaches journalism, fosters cross-cultural understanding, and promotes and defends a free youth press.

The first and most prestigious international youth journalism contest

To spotlight some of the exceptional journalism done by students across the globe, Youth Journalism International is sponsoring an annual contest. Our hope is that by calling attention to the best work in English by student reporters, cartoonists and photographers, we can further our mission of promoting a free youth press. It is yet another way to showcase the voices of the next generation.

This year’s contest will recognize outstanding journalism between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.

DEADLINE: Entries must be postmarked or emailed by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, May 7, 2010.

Categories for this year’s contest are:

STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

JOURNALISM EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

NEWS – Team (more than one byline)

FEATURES – Individual

FEATURES – Team (more than one byline)

REVIEWS (single or double byline)

SPORTS (single or double byline)

CARTOONS

PHOTOGRAPHY

and

JACINTA MARIE BUNNELL AWARD FOR COMMENTARY to honor an individual who gave voice to an important issue in a single opinion piece or a series of opinion pieces devoted to the same topic.

Bunnell, who was severely disabled, died in 2009 at the age of 26. Among her legacies is a commitment by those whose lives she touched to focus on that most crucial question: “What do you think?”

It is a fitting tribute to Jacinta to honor one of the many young people who have tried to answer that question during the past year.

FRANK KEEGAN “TAKE NO PRISONERS” AWARD FOR NEWS (Individual) to honor an individual who showed the nose for news exemplified by longtime newsman Frank Keegan, whose love of journalism and determination that it has a future helped give birth to Youth Journalism International.

How to enter

Entry fees for the contest are $10 each for Student Journalist of the Year and Journalism Educator of the Year (see details below) and $5 each for both the Jacinta Marie Bunnell Award for Commentary and the Frank Keegan “Take No Prisoners” Award for News. Fees are $6 for Team entries in News or Features. Other categories are $3 each. There is no limit to the number of entries one person or publication can submit. The work has to have been published, in print or online, between Jan. 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.

We are trying to keep entry fees low to make the contest accessible, but we understand that even nominal fees may pose a hardship to some youth. We do not want fees to be a barrier, so if they are a hardship for you, please enter and include a note of explanation. YJI will waive your fee and keep the financial information confidential.

To submit an entry, you need to get a copy of it, fill in an entry blank and send it to Youth Journalism International with the proper fee no later than May 7, 2010. You can do that either by mail or electronically. By email, one copy is fine. Please send two copies of your entry if you put it in the mail.

To submit an entry for Journalism Educator of the Year, please send an essay about why the teacher or adviser is the best in the world (300 to 800 words is best). It should be heartfelt. Think of it as writing a letter to us about the educator, so an informal tone is fine. Since your goal should be to persuade us, it is best to provide specific examples. Supporting materials, such as a copy of a newspaper, articles written about the educator or photos, are also fine. Multiple letters are also fine. We will give the most weight to what students have to say, but are more than willing to look at any items that bolster the case for someone.

To submit an entry for Student Journalist of the Year, please send a half dozen or so clips that show the student's work. A letter or letters explaining the impact of the work or the circumstances surrounding a student's journalism are encouraged. Tell us why this student journalist is the world's best. Other supporting material is fine, too, if it will bolster your case.

Any young journalist age 19 or under in any country who is not working professionally is eligible. Although entries must have been published online or in print, they do not have to have appeared in a school publication. Underground papers, blogs, online papers and other venues for journalism are all acceptable.

CLICK HERE FOR AN ENTRY FORM (PDF)

CLICK HERE FOR AN ENTRY FORM (Word 1997-2003)

You may mail in your form with a check or -- better still -- submit it electronically and pay your entry fee through PayPal. Send your entry to YJIcontest@gmail.com. Be sure to attach your entry, your PayPal receipt and any other information necessary.

Use the PayPal button below to pay for your entries. Just donate the amount necessary to cover the cost of your contest entries.

Please be sure to include a copy of your receipt with the email submitting your entries.

For more information about Youth Journalism International,  Contact us via email