Summer is here, and June brought the heat! ☀️

Miseducation premiered on video with the first of four episodes in our latest season, “Confronting the Status Quo.” Reported by our high-school intern Autumn Wynn, the episode explores the promises and pitfalls of restorative-justice programs in schools, arguing that student leaders need a stronger role. Watch it on YouTube, and check out our top five Miseducation episodes of all time in a new section of our home page. 📈

We also wrapped P.S. Weekly’s second season with a final episode, “What Do Teens Think of the Mayoral Candidates?” Our student reporters broke through an election cycle dominated by adult voices, revealing what they and their peers had to say about the race. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meanwhile, we’re excited to see buzz growing about our student journalism advocacy. Editor & Publisher chronicled the history and mission of the Youth Journalism Coalition. NEA Today featured the Journalism for All initiative among a list of innovative, career-building programs. And the Columbia Journalism Review covered how J4A is expanding access to youth journalism, along with its impact on students and school communities. “I feel like, being in journalism, I’ve developed into a more truthful version of myself,” said YJC student leader, Katelyn Seetaram. 

Lastly, we said goodbye for now to our spring interns in two beautiful gatherings. Special thanks to our program assistant, Tiara Edwards, and our engagement fellow, Denisse Merino, for their work across our podcast programs. We wish the best to Tiara as she starts at Spelman College this fall, and to Denisse as she heads into her junior year at Baruch College.

Student reporters showcase their work at The Bell’s year-end listening party

We celebrated the end of our spring internship program a few weeks ago with a listening party and fundraiser at The New School. Each of our 14 student reporters took the stage to share their experiences producing original podcast episodes on pressing issues in the New York City school system. Student leaders of the Youth Journalism Coalition spoke about their work to advance equitable youth journalism opportunities across the city. And family, friends, and community members took the mic to give them shout-outs, sharing emotional reflections about the impact of their reporting. It was a heartwarming evening — one we won’t soon forget. Didn’t make it? You can still support our work at give.bellvoices.org.

Youth Journalism Coalition honors student leaders at community picnic

The Youth Journalism Coalition celebrated the end of the school year with a community picnic in Battery Park on June 11. We recognized YJC student leaders and graduating seniors Fredlove Deshommes, Liza Greenberg, Katelynn Seetaram, and Camila Sosa. Their hard work was instrumental in YJC’s advocacy for Journalism for All, as well as for the City Council’s passage of a bill requiring the NYC Department of Education to collect annual data on journalism programs in the city’s public schools. They each received a framed copy of a New York Times article published last fall, on their efforts to revitalize student journalism in NYC.

Featured student opportunities

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is accepting submissions for NAHJ Gradebook, its writing contest for high-schoolers. The contest highlights and rewards student reporting that focuses on Hispanic or underserved communities, people, events, or issues. It’s open to all high-school students and recent graduates. One winner will receive $250 and a free one-year NAHJ membership. Submit here by July 7.

Documented is accepting submissions for its bilingual essay contest for Chinese immigrants or children of Chinese immigrants in NYC high schools. The contest invites students to reflect on the theme “A Tradition I Hope Never Disappears,” and explore meaningful cultural practices — “from food and language to festivals and storytelling” — and why they matter. Winners will receive up to $500, and their entries will be published and recognized at a public award ceremony in Flushing later next month. Submit here by August 1.

Headliners in Education is accepting applications to join Headliners of Summer, a program for students of all ages to participate in a virtual newsroom. Student reporters will be able to pitch their own assignments, report and write stories, edit copy, write headlines, take pictures, and publish their work on the web. Their stories can be repurposed for school and community publications, too. Apply here.

The Young Authors Alliance will offer two free online writing classes this summer: Introduction to Creative Writing and Writing for Social Justice. The classes will run July 28–August 1 and are open to youth ages 12–17. Spaces are limited. Register here. 

The New York Public Library will host the Teen Voices Festival on July 31 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown Manhattan. This annual event features YA authors, writing and art workshops, a teen art exhibit, giveaways, and an afternoon of teen creativity — all free. Register here.

From the archives

Alumni spotlight: Jadelyn Camey

“Since interning with The Bell, I’ve continued exploring my passion for writing and journalism at Lafayette College, where I’m a rising junior double majoring in Government & Law and English Literature. On campus, I serve as president of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette and am part of several other organizations, including the Gateway Career Center and an event-production group called Leopards at Nite. I also cover culture for my campus newspaper. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on my time with The Bell by speaking at the Education Writers Association’s National Seminar in St. Louis, where I shared the valuable reporting and storytelling skills I gained from this internship. I’m especially grateful for the mentorship I received from The Bell’s amazing staff, who provided a collaborative and supportive environment during my time there.”

– Jadelyn Camey, SYPA ‘22; Miseducation ‘22-23

Photo of the month

Our NYC programming team toasted the end of a successful semester over tacos and guacamole. We are immensely grateful to work together! Pictured (left to right): Carolina Hidalgo, Tiara Edwards, Denisse Merino, Ave Carrillo, Sabrina DuQuesnay, and Mira Gordon.

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