🍁 November 2025

Hi Subscriber First Name!

Welcome to this month’s edition of The Inkling! We’re excited to share the latest updates from our community.

Keep reading for news from the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition, including upcoming events, student opportunities and a spotlight on recent student reporting.

🗓️ Coming Up: YJC Speaker Series

We’re kicking off our Speaker Series with three remarkable guests leading the way in the field. Mark your calendars and register for these inspiring fireside chats and informative webinars. Stay tuned for more to come!

🤝 Seeking Newsroom Partners: Summer 2026 Internships!

We're seeking newsrooms to take on talented high school interns from Journalism for All schools this summer! This is a low-lift, high-impact way to bring fresh, youth-driven reporting into your newsroom, access teen sources, and help shape the next generation of journalists. Newsrooms of all sizes and types—hyperlocal, international, for-profit, public—are encouraged to participate.

Check out the newsroom host guide for details, and fill out the interest form to get involved. Please share this opportunity with your networks to help bring student journalists from the classroom to the newsroom!

Want to talk more? Reach out to YJC’s Sophie Mode at sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org.

🌎 YJC in the Field

Philanthropy New York Convening:

Last month, YJC’s CJ Sánchez and The Bell’s Taylor McGraw presented at a convening hosted by Philanthropy New York to explore philanthropy's role in strengthening democracy by supporting journalism and a free press. A big thank you to Laurel Dumont, Philanthropy New York, and the DJ McManus Foundation for organizing this thoughtful conference and championing journalism as essential to a healthy democracy.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Student Summit:

Earlier this month, YJC students participated in NAHJ’s Student Summit, held at CUNY Newmark. Throughout the day, students learned from some of New York’s leading reporters and anchors, gained insights into the world of journalism, and connected with media professionals during the career fair. We particularly enjoyed an intimate conversation with reporters on navigating personal identity in the newsroom and the power of representation.

NYCPS Professional Learning Community:

Last week, YJC’s CJ Sánchez and The Bell’s Mira Gordon presented at a convening of Work-Based Learning Coordinators in NYC public high schools. Alongside Amy Zimmer (Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat New York) and Santiago Montoya Palacios (Associate Producer, CNN), CJ and Mira discussed how to prepare students for journalism careers. Thank you to the Office of Superintendent Alan Cheng, Big Picture Learning, the Internationals Network for Public Schools, and New Visions for Public Schools for putting this together!

🗞️ YJC in the News

🎉 Save the Date! YJC Community Potluck

We’re coming together to celebrate the end of the year and all things YJC on Thursday, December 18, 6-7:30PM! All are welcome to join and connect over food and community. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for an RSVP and sign-up link to come.

✨ Student Opportunities

Association of Independents in Radio (AIR): Student Membership
AIR Media is offering our students a three-month free trial of their Student Membership. A student membership grants access to a broad range of resources to support audio and media makers. Use code THEBELL to activate your trial membership.

The Argument: Entry-Level Fellowship
Application Deadline: Rolling through mid-December
The Argument, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s School of Government and Policy, is accepting applications for their year-long paid fellowship starting January 2026. Early-career writers with 1-2 years of professional or academic experience eager to develop as opinion journalists are eligible to apply.

Press Pass NYC: How to Interview Politicians
Event: TODAY Monday, November 17 at 5:00PM on Zoom
Join Press Pass NYC’s third session of their free Jim Dwyer Journalism Workshop series to learn how to ask questions of a local politician so you can tell your school community how well they represent the interests of students. Attendees will learn from former political strategist Basil Smikle and Gothamist Senior Politics Reporter Brigid Bergin.

Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Youth Awards
Application Deadline: Sunday, November 23
Graduating high schoolers are eligible to apply to the Journalism and Media category of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. Award winners will receive a one-time grant to fund their college education or to fund a community service effort that tackles a social issue.

NYC Office of Neighborhood Safety: Youth Leadership Council
Application Deadline: Sunday, November 30
The NYC Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) is recruiting students for its Youth Leadership Council, a paid opportunity to elevate youth voices and advance citywide social justice and policy initiatives. Youth ages 16–22 who live in an ONS NYCHA development are eligible to apply.

AllSides: Student Journalism Contest
Application Deadline: Monday, December 1
AllSides is accepting articles that explore bias, misinformation, and under-the-radar issues for its student journalism contest. All students from grades K-12 are welcome to enter, and three winning pieces will be awarded $500.

The New York Times: Tiny Memoir Contest
Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 3
Students ages 13–19 are invited to submit a 100-word personal narrative. Winning stories will be published on The New York Times’ Learning Network and may also be considered for print publication in The New York Times.

New York Association of Black Journalist’s First Take Program
Application Deadline: Sunday, December 7
NYABJ’s First Take is a free series of workshops for high schoolers that provides hands-on training in writing, reporting, video production, and social media led by media professionals. There is no cost to participate. High school students in the New York metro area of all ethnic backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Press Pass NYC: How to Report on Immigration for Your School Community
Event: Tuesday, December 16 at 5:00PM on Zoom
Join Press Pass NYC’s fourth session of their free Jim Dwyer Journalism Workshop series to learn how to make sense of current immigration policy and its impact on your community. Gain the tools to report on immigrants that inform and support your fellow students.

Girls Write Now: Collaboratory Journey
Pre-Enrollment Opens: Saturday, November 15
Pre-enrollment is open for the Collaboratory’s Spring Cycle for both mentees, ages 14-24, and mentors ages 25 and up. Each unique journey involves writing course content, mentorship, and community experiences.

PBS Student Reporting Labs (SRL): Seeking Student Producers
Application Deadline: Friday, December 19
SRL is accepting applications to be a producer of season six of On Our Minds, an award-winning teen life podcast for teens by teens. Season six will feature stories about what makes teen life unique across the country. Contact becky@reportinglabs.org with any questions.

BRIC Arts Media Teen Photography Bootcamp
Application Deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026
BRIC Media is accepting applications for their free eight-week photography course. The course comes with a $200 stipend. Students ages 14-18 at any skill level are eligible to apply.

C-SPAN: StudentCam Documentary Competition
Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Middle and high school students working independently and in teams may submit a 5-6 minute film exploring the enduring impact of the Declaration of Independence for the chance to win up to $5,000.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Current high school juniors are invited to apply for a fully funded, five-day summer program in Washington, D.C., where they will dive into journalism and multimedia storytelling, connect with leading media professionals, and build lasting networks with fellow aspiring journalists. All expenses, including hotel, airfare, and meals, are covered, and participants will also receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

🔦 Spotlight on Student Reporting

Check out our Newsstand featuring school publications across the city!

Every High School Deserves a Student Newspaper

The Future is Here- Journalism Must Catch Up

Help us spread the news. Forward this email to a friend!
They can sign up for upcoming Inklings here.