Youth Journalism Int'l

Youth Journalism International sponsors an annual contest to spotlight some of the exceptional journalism done by students across the globe. Their central objective is to call attention to the best work in English by student reporters, cartoonists and photographers in order to further their mission of promoting a free youth press.

The YJI contest has numerous categories including: news, enterprise reporting, feature, profile, opinion, sports, reviews, photography and multi-media. There are also awards for journalistic work produced by two or more people. Check out the YJI website and see if any of the categories apply to your work. All entries must be accessible online.

How do I expand this narrative arc? Are you interested in writing and journalism and keen to get some credit for all your hard work?

• Consider entering one of the many writing competitions sponsored by The New York Times.

• If you are writing non-fiction, you should be submitting it to one of the many competitions and journals aimed at teens such as the Curieux Academic Journal.

• Get involved in your school newspaper in a leadership role.

• Attend one of the many summer programs run by The New York Times Summer Academy

HOT TIP: This is a great way to validate your participation in a school newspaper, art publication or other locally-based form of media. Keep in mind however that you’ll get maximum mileage out of a competition like this if you combine it with a series of other journalism and publication opportunities. Remember: colleges like students that are really pointy!