Junior Journalist Challenge

Every month, submit an article or video — get published in Pleasanton Weekly and compete for the Editor’s Choice Award.

Enter This Month’s Challenge

This Month’s Challenge

Theme(Pick one from the following): Opioids, Education, Economics, Arts & Culture/Social Media

Deadline to submit article or video: October 2nd, 2026

Prize: $150 + a certificate for the top article and the top video

Submit Your Entry

How It Works

Create

Write an article or film a video this month.

Submit

Send it through the Google Form before the deadline.

Get Published

Every approved entry is published on Pleasanton Weekly online.

Win

Judges pick a top article and top video for the $150 award.

Open to students aged 15–20 living in Alameda & Contra Costa County. Enter as an individual. Choose any approved topic — public policy, education, environment, health, technology, culture, or your local community.

Submission Guidelines

Title and 1–2 sentence description
Written articles: 500–1,500 words
Video: 1–3 minutes.
All work must be created during the challenge month
Original work only — cite any AI used

Go to Submission Form

How Entries Are Judged

Judged monthly by the Leadership Team + Student Board. One article and one video win a certificate and a $150 cash award.

Journalistic integrity — accuracy, sourcing, fairness
Technical quality, storytelling & clarity
Creativity & originality
Relevance to monthly theme
Outreach — views in first month

Code of Ethics

Ensure accuracy and proper sourcing
Avoid plagiarism — all work must be original
Obtain consent for interviews and images
Respect privacy and cultural sensitivity
If AI is used at any point, it must be cited as a source
Violations may result in disqualification