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Happy September! As we gear up for an action-packed school year, take a peek at what our team accomplished this summer. Plus: oodles of new opportunities for students to share their voices.

Get involved 🗣️

Join us at City Hall for J-Day 2026!

Photo by Jonah Vimont

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, we’re returning to the steps of City Hall for the Youth Journalism Coalition’s annual day of action for student journalism. Students and adult allies are welcome to attend a 12 p.m. press conference celebrating the progress of Journalism for All, our citywide effort to expand access to school journalism programs. After the press conference, YJC members will testify at the City Council Education Committee's public hearing on the new “Portrait of a Graduate” framework, making the case for how journalism education prepares students for college and careers. Sign up below to attend the press conference, hearing, or both.

📅 Tuesday, Sept. 22

🕒 12 p.m.

📍 City Hall steps, New York, NY 10007

Teens: Share your perspectives with WNYC and The Bell

WNYC and The Bell are inviting young people ages 14-19 across New York City to share their perspectives on the following topic: Teen Takeovers and Third Spaces for Youth in NYC.

Select participants may be invited to join a recorded, in-person roundtable discussion with other young people from across NYC. If chosen, you’ll have the opportunity to exchange ideas, speak about issues affecting teens and potentially have your voice featured on local and national airwaves by WNYC radio and shared by The Bell.

Interested in participating? Fill out the Google Form below.

Summer highlights ☀️

Student podcasters report and produce stories about NYC’s food culture

This summer, 12 New York City public high school students participated in our seventh annual Summer Youth Podcast Academy. In just three weeks, students reported and produced original podcast episodes while receiving mentorship and training from industry veterans. They also gained exposure to media careers through visits to Condé Nast and National Public Radio. The prompt for this summer was to profile an individual working in the city’s famously diverse and vast food industry. The students served up stories about the rebirth of a popular Brooklyn diner, one chef’s struggle to maintain a beloved soul food restaurant in a gentrifying neighborhood and lots more.

We’ll release their episodes on the Summer Youth Podcast Academy feed in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Dozens of student journalists complete internships at local newsrooms

Photo by Dulce M. Marquez

The Youth Journalism Coalition partnered with the Department of Youth and Community Development this summer to facilitate a new journalism-focused internship pathway within the Summer Youth Employment Program. From July to August, 36 Journalism for All students from all five boroughs participated in paid internships at newsrooms across the city, building their reporting skills, gaining industry exposure, supporting local news teams and publishing their work in professional outlets. They covered topics ranging from a homecare worker hunger strike to mental health care for Broadway performers to the impacts of police staffing shortages. The program concluded with a moving showcase of each student news team’s work from the summer, pictured above.

Huge thanks to each of our 11 pioneering newsroom host sites. We’re so proud of every student reporter and look forward to expanding the program next summer!

Two alumni lead podcasting workshop for middle schoolers

For the third consecutive summer, The Bell partnered with the TEAK Fellowship—a nonprofit organization providing free academic support to students from low-income backgrounds—to teach a five-week podcasting workshop to middle school students. Bree Campbell (Miseducation ’23) and Zana Halili (Summer Youth Podcast Academy ’22) provided mentorship and training to 10 students who paired up to create episodes about what it means to be in Generation Alpha.

“It’s an understatement to say it was a great experience teaching podcasting at the TEAK Fellowship. Creating podcast episodes in a short amount of time meant we faced trials and tribulations, but by the end, the students had created something they were proud of, as it reflected their voices and opinions about their generation.” — Bree Campbell

In the works

High schoolers begin reporting for national “Firsthand” initiative

As the new school year kicks off, 20 high school students from 12 states are embarking on original reporting about pressing issues in education for The Bell’s Firsthand initiative. They’ll receive one-on-one guidance and mentorship from professional journalists while covering a variety of topics, including innovative project-based learning programs, what happens when teachers use AI, teens on LinkedIn and more. Additional students will contribute further reporting to the project as stringers, providing insights into the teenage experience of today from all corners of the country.

We continue to accept pitches on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit your pitch here!

Featured student opportunities

Asian American Journalism Association JCamp alumni are hosting a virtual student journalism summit on Friday, September 5 from 1-1:45 p.m. ET. This webinar is intended for emerging and aspiring middle school and high school journalists. The session will feature a keynote address and Q&A with journalist and author Gil Durán. The summit will provide participants with an overview of journalism essentials that they can bring back to their own communities. Register for the Zoom link here.

The National Coalition Against Censorship is accepting submissions for its Youth Free Expression Film Contest. 14-19 year-olds living in the United States are eligible to submit a short documentary film relating to the theme “Documenting our Democracy,” for the chance to win a cash prize and a scholarship to the New York Film Academy. The winning film will also be screened at NCAC’s annual benefit in New York City. Submit here by Wednesday, September 9.

PBS News Student Reporting Labs is seeking high school students who are interested in news and current events for its 2026-27 Student Advisory Team. This is a virtual experience to meet with professionals, connect with other students from across the country, and shape SRL's editorial coverage. Students will receive a $100 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Learn more and apply here by Friday, September 11.

The Sadie Nash Leadership Project is accepting applications for its ELLA Fellowship, a year-long program offering in-depth project development experience to students who seek to plan and implement a meaningful, ambitious social justice project in their communities. Young women and gender expansive youth ages 18-23 are eligible. Fellows receive a $1,350 stipend towards their project. Learn more and apply here by Saturday, September 12. 

New York Jewish Week is accepting applications for its Teen Journalism Fellowship. Throughout this semester-length program, participants will receive the training and support to produce an article exploring their community through a Jewish teen lens. Jewish students from New York City ages 15-18 are eligible. Learn more and apply here by Sunday, September 20.

Citizens Committee for Children of New York is accepting applications for its YouthAction NYC Internship, a year-long leadership development and civic engagement program. Participants will gain the skills to advocate on behalf of themselves, their schools, and their communities, learn how to conduct hands-on research, and meet with government officials. All New Yorkers aged 14-19 are eligible, and interns can earn up to $800. Learn more and apply here by Monday, September 21.

The Democracy Group is accepting applications for its podcast fellowship, a 6-week remote program for young leaders who want to start a podcast and build an audience to strengthen democracy, engage diverse viewpoints, and bridge political divides. This opportunity is open to all high school and college students. Learn more and apply here by Wednesday, September 23.

YoungArts is accepting applications for YoungArts awards, a prestigious competition that grants winners mentorship from professional artists, a robust network, national recognition, and cash awards between $250–$10,000. High school students in grades 10-12 are eligible to enter. Learn more and submit here by Tuesday, October 6. 

The T Howard Foundation is accepting applications for its Summer 2027 internship program, which creates pathways for talented college students to launch careers in media, entertainment, and technology. Current college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students are eligible. Learn more and apply here by Saturday, October 31.

The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is now accepting submissions for its Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards. Teens in grades 7-12 may enter work in 29 categories of art and writing, for the chance to win cash prizes, publication in an anthology, national recognition, and scholarships. Submit to the NYC region by Thursday, December 10. 

The Bell is accepting pitches on a rolling basis for Firsthand, a national student reporting initiative on the most pressing issues in American schools. Rising 10th-12th graders in public and charter high schools can submit pitches for the opportunity to receive official byline credit, coaching and mentorship from professional reporters and a monetary stipend. Learn more and submit here.

New York Amsterdam News is accepting story submissions for On The Record, a new youth publication from one of the nation’s most influential Black newspapers. Students ages 18 and under are welcome to submit a story, with a preference for submissions that highlight topics pertaining to Black, African American, Afro-Latinx, and other communities of color. Stories are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit here.

Youth Environmental Press Team (YEPT) is seeking middle school, high school and college contributors for its online publication, which features writing about the climate crisis and other environmental issues. Contributors are paid for their work, and submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and get involved here.

From the archives

Alumni spotlight: Salma Baksh

“Reporting on NYC education news with The Bell helped catalyze my passion for education policy and equity. Using the storytelling, analytical, and communication skills I fostered in P.S. Weekly, I've since led several efforts to improve the NYC education system and the Smith College campus, where I currently study government and education. My P.S. Weekly episode about banned books led to an award-winning policy proposal on school library equity, and then a successful campaign for Intro 1125 (Librarians Count bill) in the New York City Council. I'll forever be grateful for the many learnings, mentorship, and growth that being a member of The Bell has granted me!” 

– Salma Baksh, P.S. Weekly ’24

Photo of the month

In August, Sabrina, Allison, CJ, Sophie, Taylor and Adrian (pictured from left) got together in classic Bell fashion to celebrate the summer over dominoes, cards and a classic New York slice.

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