NAA Foundation Young Reader Conference

Teen Fellows Tell Youth Editors and NIE Professionals
What Students Want From Newspapers

Thirteen young journalists presented their thoughts on what students want from teen sections, Newspaper In Education programs and newspapers in general during the NAA Foundation’s Young Reader Conference July 22-26 in St. Louis.

The teen presenters are recipients of the NAA Foundation’s 10th annual Teen Fellowships, awarded to outstanding young writers, editors, photographers and illustrators who regularly contribute to the teen sections of their local newspapers. The 2006 Teen Fellows are:

• Brittany Biesiada, Teen Scene, Home News Tribune, East Brunswick, N.J.
• Rebecca Marie Espinosa, Teen Speaks, The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald
• Gabby Gee, The Voice, The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill.
• Emily Hamsher, FlipSide, The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette
• Andre Haughton, Next Generation, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale.
• Samantha Liggett, The Student Sun, The Evening Sun, Hanover, Pa.
• Stephanie McMullen, 757: Teens Cover The Code, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk
• Kaitlin Paulson, Generation Next, The Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, N.M.
• Nikki Roberti, The Verge, Florida Today, Melbourne, Fla.
• Serenity Self, Fresh Ink, Erie (Pa.) Times-News
• Katie Thisdell, The Edge, The Roanoke (Va.) Times
• Christopher Thomas, Listen Up!, The Daily News, Jacksonville , N.C.
• Kiersten Timpe, Voices, Reading (Pa.) Eagle

PAST CONVENTIONS

2005 Convention
In 2005, thirteen young journalists, ages 16-18, presented their ideal of the best youth section, editor, youth program and youth Website on Sunday, Oct. 9, during the Newspaper Association of America Foundation’s Youth Editorial Alliance conference in Nashville. The teens are recipients of the NAA Foundation’s ninth annual Teen Fellowships, awarded to outstanding young writers, editors, photographers and illustrators who regularly contribute to the teen sections of their local newspapers.

2004 Convention
In 2004, youth editors from around the country gathered Friday, Oct. 8 through Monday, Oct. 11 for YEA's ninth annual conference and workshop at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, close to the downtown business center and within walking distance of the Ft. Lauderdale beaches.

2003 Convention
If you missed us in Reading, Pa., here's the coverage from the 2003 Convention.

Youth editors from around the country gathered Friday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 13 for YEA's eighth annual conference at the Lincoln Plaza Hotel located in Reading, Pa. The conference started off with an opening reception hosted by The Reading Eagle and then proceeded through a weekend jam-packed with speakers and hands-on sessions.