Happy New Year! 

New student voices. New ways of engaging audiences. And some ambitious projects we can’t wait to share. As January gets under way, we’re gearing up for an exciting slate of work across our New York City student programs, the Youth Journalism Coalition, and our new Mississippi region.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our end-of-year giving campaign. Your generosity helped us start the new year strong and made this work possible. If you’d still like to make a donation, you can do so below.

In the news

Chalkbeat New York republished a powerful video essay by Miseducation student reporter Jeremiah Dickerson, who explores the shortcomings of credit recovery programs in NYC high schools.

Youth Journalism Coalition student leader and Miseducation alumna Autumn Wynn was featured on PBS News Student Reporting Labs’ 20 under 20 up-and-coming storytellers list for 2025. The list celebrates teens from around the country who are shaping the future of journalism and media through powerful, original storytelling.

Mark your calendars

Q&A with Samer Nasser, executive director of the Press Credentials Office at City Hall

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m. // Register here for the Zoom link

In this special webinar, Samer Nasser will walk through the process youth journalists can use to obtain press credentials and cover public events across the city. We encourage students and journalism advisers to attend.

Accepting pitches for P.S. Weekly

As we prepare for Season 3 of P.S. Weekly this spring, we’re seeking story ideas about New York City public schools that uplift important voices and explore issues with real impact on students, families, and school communities. Send us a brief pitch at psweekly@bellvoices.org.

Student journalists moderate inspiring speaker series conversations

The Youth Journalism Coalition launched its speaker series in December with two powerful conversations. 

New York Times education and youth reporter, Troy Closson, spoke with YJC student leader Jeremiah Dickerson to to kick off the speaker series on December 3. Closson encouraged young journalists to network and build industry connections. “It's always worth… sending an email or reaching out to someone who you're interested in,” he said. “In high school and in college, I think people are extremely willing to help.”

Emmy-winning Spectrum News NY1 anchor and author Cheryl Wills joined YJC alumna Derry Oliver in an invigorating conversation on December 18. Remarking on the challenges that journalists face in the current political climate, Wills said, “It takes courage to shine that light in the darkness. It's up to us to… stand on what is right and be on the right side of history, even when it's unpopular.”

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to both Troy and Cheryl from sharing their time, wisdom, and stories with our community.

Paid opportunity to support student newsrooms

The Youth Journalism Coalition is contracting experienced professionals and organizations to support Journalism for All schools during the 2026–27 school year. Service providers will work alongside journalism advisers and student journalists to strengthen student-run news publications by:

• Guiding publication development and content planning

• Providing technical training and assistance

• Building newsroom systems and workflows

• Developing student editorial leadership

Providers will earn up to $5,000 per school for their services. YJC seeks providers with a range of skills and expertise to meet the diverse needs of Journalism for All schools. Fill out this interest form by February 1 to get involved.

Photo courtesy of Seyma Bayram and Chalkbeat New York

Youth Journalism Coalition celebrates standout year at annual winter potluck 

Youth Journalism Coalition members gathered in December for an intergenerational potluck full of conversation, laughter, and delicious food. During a speed networking activity facilitated by YJC student leader Natalie Viderman, attendees connected with one another and answered thought-provoking questions such as, “If you could interview anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?”

Cheers to a groundbreaking and energizing year full of progress towards our mission of ensuring equitable access to student journalism in New York City schools.

Featured student opportunities

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Communications Internship. College students and recent graduates are eligible for this remote internship, which offers a $500 stipend, complimentary registration for the NAHJ 2026 Student Summit, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Apply here by January 9.

The New York Historical Society is accepting applications for its Tech Scholars: Podcasting program. High school students in the New York City metro area will collaborate to create a new season of the teen podcast Through Fresh Eyes. The podcast this season is inspired by the exhibition The Gay Harlem Renaissance currently on view at the New York Historical Society. Apply here by January 11.

The New York Times Learning Network is inviting teens ages 13–19 to enter Local Lens: A Photo Essay Contest. Participants are challenged to create a six-to-eight image photo essay that captures a meaningful aspect of the place where they live, accompanied by brief written context. Learn more and submit here by January 14.

NPR is accepting submissions for its annual College Podcast Challenge. All students pursuing bachelor’s or associate’s degrees are welcome to submit a podcast on any topic, under 12 minutes long. A grand prize champion will receive $5,000, and finalists will receive $500. Learn more and submit here by January 16.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency is seeking applicants for the New York Jewish Week Teen Journalism Fellowship. Participants will gain real-world journalism experience while working with professional editors. The program will run from January to May 2026, and fellows will be paid a $100 gift card for each story they publish. Jewish high schoolers ages 15-18 are eligible. Learn more and apply here by January 18. 

C-SPAN is accepting submissions for its StudentCam Documentary Competition. Middle and high school students working independently and in teams may submit a 5–6 minute documentary exploring the enduring impact of the Declaration of Independence, for the chance to win up to $5,000. Submit here by January 20.

The Apollo Theater is hosting MLK Young Changemakers TL; DR, a free panel and community event held at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria on January 19. Young advocates and leaders will come together for a discussion inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, exploring education, media literacy, and how young people can drive change in their communities. RSVP here. 

Princeton University is accepting applications for the Princeton Summer Journalism Program. This free program is open to high-achieving high school juniors from lower-income backgrounds who are interested in journalism. Students will complete a hybrid journalism intensive during the summer after junior year and work one-on-one with a dedicated college adviser during their senior academic year. Apply here by January 26.

DePaul University is accepting submissions for Best American High School Writing, published in DePaul’s Blue Book. This annual anthology features outstanding English and Spanish writing from high school literary magazines, newspapers, and individual students (including poetry, short stories, essays, and visual art). Learn more and submit here by January 31.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is offering summer internships for college and graduate students. Interns will gain hands-on experience working in one of the world’s leading museums focused on aviation and space exploration and learn from mentors in a variety of fields, from curatorial research to administration. Learn more and apply here by January 31.

Civics Unplugged is accepting applications for its Civic Innovators Fellowship. Current high school students may apply for this free, eight-week virtual program exploring civic innovation issues. Upon completing the fellowship, participants gain funding and a supportive network along with exclusive access to Civic Innovation Academies and the Civic Innovation Lab. Apply here by January 31.

The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is accepting applications from current high school juniors. Selected students will attend 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. Participants also receive a $1,000 college scholarship. Apply here by March 15.

Uptown Stories is offering writing workshops for young writers. Topics include poetry, pop culture criticism, fiction writing, and more. Elementary, middle, and high school students are eligible to participate. Learn more and view current workshops here.

From the archives

Alumni spotlight: Christian Chand 

“Hi, I’m Christian and I’m a freshman at Hunter College majoring in computer science. During the Summer Youth Podcast Academy, I produced an episode about a city zoning architect who helps inform how properties can be built and used. It was really interesting learning about such a niche, yet important job, and her journey into this role. Creating this episode strengthened my interviewing skills and boosted my confidence, which will be especially helpful in today’s competitive job market. I’m grateful for the time I spent learning alongside my mentors and friends at The Bell.”

– Christian Chand, SYPA ‘25

Photo of the month

Last month recent alumni of our programs gathered to reconnect and write thank-you letters to our donors. The room was filled with gratitude, good energy, and lots of laughs as we chatted over hot chocolate, marshmallows, and an epic sunset. 

We need your support! Help us expand our programs this school year.