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Student journalists around the world have been recognised in US-based Youth Journalism International 's first ever worldwide contest.

YJI is an online network of young writers, artists and photographers from around the world which aims to promote a free youth press in every country.

The winners, from eight different countries and four continents, were awarded for a range of work, from news and feature writing to cartoon artistry and photography skills.

The main award, for Student Journalist of the Year, went to Megan Mizuta from Idaho, who was recognised for her work in the Borah Senator.

Katie Jordan, an editor on YJI said Megan impressed the judges with her broad writing abilities.

"She's just as capable of writing hard news stories about budget cuts and student-teacher affairs as she is of writing opinion or sports stories," Jordan said.

A special award was presented to Stacey Wilkins for Student Journalist Educator of the Year. Wilkins was recognised for her assistance on both her school’s paper, Neirad, and the creation of the Connecticut Academic Press Association.

Jordan said nominations for the educator category showed huge promise for the future of the industry.

"With so many people talking about the decline of print journalism these days, we found it heartening to read students' letters about exceptional teachers who are doing everything they can to keep journalism alive," she said.

A total of 21 awards were competed for, with winners of the top four categories receiving crystal trophies, as well as a certificate given to all finalists.

The competition was open to any journalist under the age of 19 and from any country in the world.

The complete list of winners follows:

Student Journalist of the Year

Winner, Megan Mizuta, The Borah Senator, Boise, Idaho

Journalism Educator of the Year

Winner, Stacey Wilkins, Darien High School, Darien, Connecticut

Jacinta Marie Bunnell Award for Commentary

Winner, Eugenia Durante, "In hope that we will kill no more mockingbirds," Genoa, Italy

Frank Keegan "Take no prisoners" Award for Newspapers

Winner, Caroline Nelissen, "Dutch Debate Sinterklaas' 'Black Pete,'" Ermelo, The Netherlands

News Team Reporting

First Place, Julia Lang and Kimberly Michels, "Students Moonstruck, The Mystery of the Middlesex Lagoon," Darien, Connecticut

Second Place, Tiffany Chien and Michelle Deng, "Only school within 40 mile radius without performing arts center," Saratoga, California

Enterprise

First Place, Suzanna Quiring, "Sexual content invades teen paradigms," Fresno, California

Second Place, Tiffany Chien, "The end or the means: how much honor matters," Saratoga, California

Honorable Mention, Jacqueline Wang, "Writing on Hands," Los Altos Hills, California

FEATURES
Features Team Reporting

First Place, Shreya Nathan, Nayeon Kim and Alisha Mayor, "Five Families," San Jose, California

Individual Reporting

First Place, Justin Kirkham, "Students experience foreign culture," Boise, Idaho

Second Place, Alisha Mayor, "San Francisco gives Harrison Ford the red carpet treatment," San Jose, California

First Person Essay

First Place, Eroll Yabut, "Filipinos blend cultures for festive Christmas," Castillejos, Zambales, Philipines

Second Place, Yelena Samofalova, "My first time trick-or-treating," West Hartford, Connecticut

Profile

First Place, Andi Cara, "Santa's in Town Early," Darien, Connecticut

Second Place, Shreya Nathan, "Scuba diving," San Jose, California

Honorable Mention, Samantha Whittaker, "Ellen Hopkins: Famous author visits school," Boise, Idaho

REVIEWS
Music

First Place, Daniel Gallen, "Polar Bear Club strives to return to perfection," Bel Air, Maryland

Second Place, Chris Janson, "Young Delivers Old Style on Owl City," Darien, Connecticut

Honorable Mention, Justin Brown, "New Gaga Video Rings in Message for Viewers," Hartford, Connecticut

Theatre/Film

First Place, Caroline Nelissen, "Love, shame and shattered lives in The Reader," Ermelo, The Netherlands

Second Place, Jenna Potter, "Nine is impossible to forget," Ontario, Canada

Honorable Mention, Samantha Hoffman, "Surrogates," Palo Alto, California

General Reviews

First Place, Michelle Deng, "Windows 7: A remarkable change for the better," Saratoga, California

SPORTS
Sports News

First Place, Emily Close, "Ivy Dreams Take Root in Squash Court," Darien, Connecticut

Second Place, Ayla Washam, "No spots in weight class for regulars," Boise, Idaho

Sports Opinion

First Place, Parker Simmons, "Team free falls into a 0-9 ring of fire," Boise, Idaho

Second Place, Clare Hern, "A-Rod isn't a 'true Yankee'," West Hartford, Connecticut

Sports Team Reporting

First Place, Clare Hern and Kiernan Majerus-Collins, "Behind the scenes at ESPN," West Hartford, Connecticut

Cartoons

First Place, Lisa Garrard, "Prince, I'm Leaving You for Snow White," Boise, Idaho

Second Place, Elahn Santiago, "Graduation Day," Holyoke, Massachusetts

Honorable Mention, Michelle Deng, "The sea of causes," Saratoga, California

PHOTOGRAPHY
News Photo

First Place, Caroline Nelissen, "Kurdish demonstrators take to the streets in Istanbul," Ermelo, The Netherlands

Sports Photo

First Place, Megan Mizuta, "Borah High senior Adam Bunch," Boise, Idaho

Feature Photo

First Place, Eugenia Durante, "Genoa's enchanting Christmas," Genoa, Italy

Photo Illustration

First Place, Emily Brady, "Harassment," Holyoke, Massachusetts

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Written by
Rachel Bartlett

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