Spring is here, and a new season of P.S. Weekly has arrived. Be sure to check out the Season 3 trailer and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Our first episode drops this Thursday, April 9.

Apply now for the Summer Youth Podcast Academy

Help us spread the word about our 7th annual Summer Youth Podcast Academy!

• Program dates: July 27 to August 14

• Weekdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in lower Manhattan

• Workshops from industry professionals

• Make your own podcast episode!

• Field trips to media companies

• $500 stipend + daily lunch allowance

• Open to current 9th-12th graders in NYC public schools

• Application deadline: Sunday, May 17

Join us on Zoom to learn more about the program and application process:

• Wednesday, April 22 at 5pm ET — register here

• Monday, May 4 at 5pm ET — register here

We’re hiring for our first-ever national student reporting initiative

There are still a few days left to apply for the Firsthand project editor role.

• Independent contractor, 8 months

• NYC preferred; open to remote

• Application closes April 10

Learn more and apply: bellvoices.org/jobs

Firsthand is a nationwide initiative that will empower young people to report on innovation, engagement and the evolving landscape of American K-12 education. Student contributors from across the country will have the opportunity to produce stories across video, audio, photography and writing formats about the educational opportunities, instruction, and support systems that help them flourish. These pieces will be published throughout the fall on a dedicated section of The Bell’s website. Visit our webpage to learn more and sign up for updates.

Read our latest blog post

Students, educators, and community members show out for ‘J-Week’

Last month, the Youth Journalism Coalition led J‑Week, a citywide week of action elevating student voices and calling for the expansion of journalism education in every public high school. The week featured daily site visits to Journalism for All classrooms in all five boroughs, including at Urban Assembly Maker Academy, pictured above. Other activities included a Write-a-Thon where students competed in a reporting contest and learned how to write op-eds, and a special opportunity for student journalists to cover a press conference featuring City Council Speaker Julie Menin. Throughout the week, hundreds of students, educators, journalists and community members added their names to a sign-on letter urging city leadership to invest in school journalism programs. We’re excited to see the momentum for student journalism in NYC continue to build.

Making the case for high school journalism

Photo courtesy of the American Press Institute.

The Bell’s executive director and co-founder Taylor McGraw attended the American Press Institute’s Local News Summit on Youth Trust and Civic Resilience last month in West Palm Beach, Florida. He presented a 5-minute lightning talk on student journalism’s integral role in local news ecosystems and shared how The Bell is strengthening the youth media landscape in New York City and Mississippi.

Featured student opportunities

Let’s Talk Democracy is accepting applications for its first annual Youth Talk Democracy summer think tank, a free program for rising 8th graders through high school seniors. Participants will research local and national policy issues, engage with expert guest speakers, and collaborate with peers to produce a written policy proposal reflecting their vision for America's future. Apply here by Friday, April 10.

The Double Discovery Center is accepting applications for its Summer Academy, a four-week academic enrichment program for 9th and 10th-grade New York City high school students from first generation and low income backgrounds. This immersive college-campus experience offers academic enrichment courses emphasizing reading, writing, and research skills, as well as wellness-focused workshops. Learn more and apply here by Sunday, April 12.

Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center is accepting applications for its Summer Internship. Youth ages 14–21 will participate in a six-week program focused on folk culture and heritage, building skills in research, interviewing, photo and video documentation, archiving, and public speaking while engaging with artists and community leaders. Participants will receive a stipend. Apply here by Monday, April 13. 

DCTV Youth Media is accepting applications for its Summer Media Intensive. NYC students ages 14–21 will take part in a free, four-week, hands-on filmmaking program, developing skills in pitching, camera operation, interviewing, editing, and media literacy from pre-production through post-production. The program culminates in a screening of student work across documentary, narrative, animation, and experimental formats. Apply here by Wednesday, April 15.

Press Pass NYC is accepting submissions for its Press Pass Seasonal Awards. NYC public high school student journalists may enter work published during the 2025-26 school year for the chance to win a certificate and invitation to Press Pass NYC’s annual June celebration. Submit here by Wednesday, April 15.

The UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers is accepting applications for its Youth Media Representation (YMR) Program. This virtual, 10-week program is open to teens ages 13–18 interested in media research and storytelling. Participants will engage with content creators, take part in research workshops, and develop an original project based on a topic of their choice. Apply here by Sunday, April 19.

The Healing Center is inviting students to register for the NYC Teen Dating Violence Awareness Walk, which will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. The event features speeches and live performances from teens, elected officials, and advocates taking a stand against dating violence, followed by a march across the Brooklyn Bridge and a rally in front of City Hall. Participants can earn community service hours by attending. Learn more and register here.

Press Pass NYC is offering an Editor Bootcamp for NYC public high school students interested in developing their editing and student newsroom leadership skills. Participants will receive a $250 stipend for the week-long program. Apply here by Monday, April 27.

Girls Write Now is accepting applications for its Summer Journey program, a creative mentorship experience designed for writers, poets, and aspiring authors. Youth ages 14-24 from anywhere in the country are invited to apply to participate in workshop courses ranging from YA romance, to comedy writing, to crafting a college personal statement, and more. Apply here by Thursday, April 30. 

Wayfinder is accepting submissions for its Future-Ready Storytelling Challenge, a competition that asks young people to envision their generation’s positive impact on the future. Students grades 9-12 residing anywhere in the U.S. are invited to create a short video for the chance to win up to $2,500. Submit here by Friday, May 1. 

Earth Matter is accepting applications for its Youth Internship. Participants ages 16–18 will complete 80 hours of hands-on training in composting, animal care, farming, and conservation across sites on Governors Island, working alongside staff and volunteers. Apply here by Friday, May 1.

The Pulitzer Center is accepting submissions for its Fighting Words Poetry Contest, inviting students to explore how journalism and poetry can connect global issues to local and personal contexts. K-12 students from anywhere in the world may enter for the chance to win cash prizes and publication on the Pulitzer Center website. Submit here by Sunday, May 10.

The NPR Student Podcast Challenge is now accepting entries from youth in grades 4-12. Winners will have their stories featured on NPR programs and receive a trophy and certificate for their school. This year, to honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, judges will award an additional prize for stories that explore what it means to be an American. Learn more and submit here by Sunday, May 31.

The Theater Development Fund is offering a free membership to all 2026 graduating seniors from New York City’s public and charter high schools. This exclusive offer allows students to purchase steeply discounted tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows, with prices ranging from $11 to $62.50. Sign up here.

From the archives

Alumni spotlight: David Cruz

“As a participant in the Summer Youth Podcast Academy, I produced an episode about my mom’s job as an outreach worker for unhoused New Yorkers. Now, as an undergraduate student at Hunter College, I've decided to major in Urban Studies and get more involved with my community. I didn’t realize it at the time, but since SYPA, I’ve really taken an interest in learning more about the vital work of city agencies — particularly, the department of Parks and Recreation. My time at The Bell was eye-opening, as it allowed me to get in touch with my city and gather the self-confidence needed to explore my interests. My hope is that the experiences and lessons taken from these internships are as liberating for others as they were for me.”

— David Cruz, SYPA ’22

Photo of the month

Last month, Cait, Sabrina, Sophie, Mira, and CJ (pictured from the left) participated in a 5k race on Governor’s Island to cap off an unforgettable J-Week! In spite of the March chill, they each had successful races and an overall great time. Go team!

Support the next generation of journalists and civic leaders.