Changes are coming to Teen Takes. Here's what's happening
Teen mental health. Transgender rights. The everyday pressure today's high school students are under.
The Courier Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal have invited local high school students to share their lives, and their opinions, on our websites and in the pages of our newspapers.
Teen Takes — formerly known as Reality — has given our readers insight into the often mysterious lives of teenagers, and has allowed us to reach an audience that, let's face it, usually aren't getting their news from us.
Both continue to be important goals. But the news industry is changing, and so is Teen Takes.
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Last year, we expanded our Teen Takes panel beyond Burlington County, to include more high school students in communities served by the Courier Post and Daily Journal. That led to one of the largest Teen Takes panels ever.
We're once again looking for new members, and this year we're also looking for teen photographers and videographers to join Teen Takes, to bring their visual perspectives to our readers.
We're also changing how, and when, we publish Teen Takes articles. Instead of publishing exclusively online on Fridays and in print on Saturdays in the Daily Journal and Sundays in the Courier Post and Burlington County Times, Teen Takes is being absorbed into our regular news sections in print. You'll continue to find all our content in the Lifestyle and Living section of our websites.
This doesn't mean less Teen Takes. It means more opportunities for our talented young writers to reach our readers, in the same pages where you're reading that day's news or opinions.
It means more opportunities for them to write about breaking news and current events. More opportunities to give you a look at what's happening in their schools, as it's happening. More opportunities to reach more readers wherever they get their news.
Are you a student journalist? Join us!
This past year, Teen Takes panelists have written about everything from bullying, sexuality and climate change, to volunteerism and pop culture.
"I loved being able to be apart of something bigger and someone who is impactful in the community," said Elizabeth Russell, a recent graduate of Central Bucks High School West in Pennsylvania, who wrote for Teen Takes for two years. "My goal when I started here was to make a difference and I believe that in some aspects I achieved that."
You don't have to be interested in a journalism career to join Teen Takes, but we do ask that you are dedicated to sharing your stories. Writing chops are a plus, but we’ll work with you to get your point across.
"I liked that I wasn't limited by topic," said Bordentown Regional High School graduate Summer Roberts. "I could write on international affairs or school events or cultural phenomena."
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Teen Takes is open to students who attend high school or live in Burlington, Camden, Cumberland and Gloucester counties in New Jersey, or in Bucks or Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.
Teen Takes does require a commitment. We expect panelists to contribute articles or photos on a regular basis, both on their own and working with their peers; to suggest story ideas; and, as their schedule allows, to attend monthly meetings in person or virtually.
Want to apply? Visit https://bit.ly/TeenTakes2223.
Limited spots are open for next year. Applications are due July 29. New panelists will be informed of decisions in mid to late August.
Have questions? Contact editor Crissa Shoemaker DeBree at cdebree@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Courier Post, Burlington County Times, Daily Journal looking for teen writers
