Youth Journalism International's 2026 Excellence in Journalism contest | deadline: Feb 13

[Katina Paron]

It's February, so it's time for young journalists and their teachers to enter Youth Journalism International's 2026 Excellence in Journalism contest. It's the 17th year of the competition, which is open to any non-professional journalist - writer, photographer, artist - aged 19 and under (at the time of publication/broadcast) for work done in the 2025 calendar year.

The deadline to enter is midnight, Friday, Feb. 13.

There are a couple dozen categories for individual and team entries, from cartoons to sports, news, features, first person, opinion, you name it. Lots of photo and multi-media categories. Custom made certificates are sent to winners. 

Six trophy categories are: Student Journalist of the Year, Journalism Educator of the Year, Courage in Journalism, the best news story (Frank Keegan Award), the best commentary (Jacinta Bunnell Award) and the First Amendment Award.

A panel of about 25 judges will review the entries and select winners. 

Winners will be announced at a May 2 online public ceremony.

Entry is all online. Rules and entry forms are at www.youthjournalism.org/contest.

Payment need not be made by the entry deadline but should arrive before March 15. 

Questions? Write me: jmaj...@youthjournalism.org

Good luck everyone!

Sincerely,

Jackie Majerus 
jmaj...@youthjournalism.org