The New York Times Magazine interview - posted 2/26

 Hello,

I hope you're doing well. I'm a writer for The New York Times Magazine, working on a project about what makes teenagers happy, and I wanted to see if any TAJE educators know of teen journalists who would be interested in participating in the project.

More about me: I largely write about growing up and growing old for publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vox. (You can see my work here.)

More on the project: I’m interviewing teenagers (ages 13-18) for recommendations of one specific thing that makes them happy. That could be anything that they recommend to feel more happy: a character on a TV show, a meme they love sharing on a group chat with their friends, rooting for a particular soccer star, a fantasy novel, snuggling with their dog, chocolate-chip ice cream with gummy worms, making silly faces, jumping into really cold water… Anything! I’d want to chat with the teen for 15-20 minutes to find out more about their recommendation.

There's so much news about how hard it is for this generation of teenagers, and I hope this project will give them the space to talk about another aspect of their lives: what makes them happy. (Hopefully it'll give all of us readers some ideas for finding more happiness in our daily lives, too.)

Would you be willing to share this email with any TAJE high school journalism teachers, to see if any of their students would be interested in being featured in the story? I'd want to chat with the teen sometime in the next two weeks (and of course I'd talk to their parent/guardian for permission, too). 

I’d also be glad to tell you more about this project on a call as well, of course.

Warmly,

Charley Locke

Contributing Writer, The New York Times Magazine

Columbia Pre-College courses

 

Start your journey into journalism
at the only Ivy League in New York City

New York is a city brimming with stories waiting to be uncovered. Where better to start your journey into journalism than at the only Ivy League institution in the city, with Columbia’s Pre-College courses in Journalism: From Pitch to Publish and Sports Journalism?
 
Get ahead of the game, gaining a foundational understanding of journalism, its history, and how it’s done in a changing world. You’ll sharpen your interviewing techniques and research skills over the course of three weeks of in-person training with an expert journalist with years of experience.
 
Journalism: From Pitch to Publish
June 30 to July 18, 2025
Monday–Friday, 11:10 am.–1:00 pm. and 3:10–5:00 p.m. ET
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Sports Journalism
July 22 to August 8, 2025
Monday–Friday, 11:10 am.–1:00 pm. and 3:10–5:00 p.m. ET
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You’ll end the summer with the skills you need for effective storytelling in today's dynamic media landscape, and with a head start over your peers as you enter one of the most exciting and vital industries in the world.
 
Find out more about how you can apply today.

SXSW EDU

 Hi there,

We just wanted to send out a reminder that student journalists are invited to join us at SXSW EDU 2025 in Austin!

This year includes our dedicated Student Press Room, networking opportunities with mentors and peer groups, and more. You can find additional information on opportunities for students at this year’s event here.

Check out our quick credentialing process in the link below to apply to cover the event. Each journalist receives a free event registration. Applications are open through February 7. 

Click this link to learn more and apply for student press passes: https://www.sxswedu.com/press/accreditation/. 

And if you have any questions, reach out to elizabeth@sxswedu.com or me, lydia.sullivan@onestrat.com.

We hope to see you in Austin in March!

More summer stuff - posted 2/3

This one is pretty exclusive - there is just one kid from each state selected. I have never had anyone selected. Would love to see one of you get this one.

https://www.freedomforum.org/al-neuharth-free-spirit-and-journalism-conference/

Hello Free Spirit Advisors! It’s 2025, and students are looking for summer programs. Freedom Forum invites you to encourage your high school juniors to apply for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, a free journalism program June 22-27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The application deadline is March 23. One student from each state and Washington, D.C., will be selected for the all-expenses-paid trip. The selected 51 students also receive ongoing support from a community of 1,500 alumni and a $1,000 college scholarship.

LEARN MORE

Participating students will get insider access to newsroom tours and experience in-depth panels featuring top journalists from major media outlets in our nation’s capital. Plus, they’ll attend special events with industry leaders and journalists. Could a high school junior from your school represent your state in D.C.? Invite them to apply today!

* Skill building * Network growing * Life changing Head start on your future * $1,000 college scholarship All-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

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Established in 1999 to honor Al Neuharth, founder of Freedom Forum and USA TODAY, the annual conference is designed to inspire and encourage high school juniors to pursue careers in journalism and media. More than 1,500 alumni have gone on to work for organizations including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, ESPN, network-affiliated TV stations, the “This American Life” podcast, entrepreneurial media outlets like The Juggernaut, and more.

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Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all. Each year, we engage thousands of Americans with stories, conversations and celebrations of these essential rights.