Congratulations to the 2014-15 American Society News Editors Youth Journalism Initiative Student Advisory Board. The group of student journalists helps assure that SchoolJournalism.org serves the needs of students and advisers. So far, this year’s group has 90 members from all across the country, and there is still time to join! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Learn more about the current members.

“It’s easy for student journalists to feel isolated,” said Kevin Allen, a former high school journalism teacher who helps coordinate the Advisory Board for ASNE. “They do difficult work, and it often goes unnoticed by the general student body. The Student Advisory Board gives these budding journalists an opportunity to network with other students who are facing the same challenges.”

The Advisory Board discusses current events, academic challenges, the evolving journalism industry and other topics in a private Facebook group, which is moderated by professionals with experience in journalism and advising student media. The group helps students to learn from one another and gives SchoolJournalism.org staff a clear picture of what it’s like to be a student journalist.

Members of the Advisory Board engage in unique opportunities for young journalists. Last year’s members participated in a press call with White House officials regarding the First Lady’s trip to China. They also served as panelists in a live chat about journalism ethics during an online screening of “A Fragile Trust,” hosted by PBS.

Advisory Board members also choose topics for and participate in SchoolJournalism.org’s monthly Twitter chats. Chats frequently feature professional journalists as guest moderators. Anyone is welcome to participate in the chats using the hashtag #ASNEchat. The first chat is Oct. 16. The topic is reader engagement with a special focus on how to increase the readership of student publications.

Advisory Board members must be older than 13 and enrolled in secondary school. Apply here.