The freedoms of speech and the press are core to our form of democracy.
This is as true today as it was when the United States declared its independence 250 years ago or when our First Amendment rights were ratified Dec. 15, 1791.
Facts matter, and so too do those who pursue and consume them.
News literacy is key.
In that spirit that Columbus Journalists in Training area journalists convened for the fourth consecutive year to inspire and support the next generation of American journalists, voters and news consumers as part of Columbus Journalists in Training.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the student projects!
A partnership between The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus City Schools, Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro Chapter and Columbus Association of Black Journalists, the hands-on, immersive program was held over six sessions between January and March.
More than 50 student journalists worked with professional mentors from The Dispatch, NBC4, WOSU Public Media, Ohio University, Ohio Capital Journal, The Ohio State University, LEAPS DreamHouse, Spectrum News 1, 10TV, Business First, Black Alder, Denison University, The Ohio Newsroom, USA TODAY Network and other media outlets.
Denison Edge provided additional support, while OU’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism provided awards to students.
Columbus Journalists in Training was launched in 2023 to align with attributes of Columbus schools’ Portrait of a Graduate, the district’s “north star” designed to ensure student success.
Students were selected for the program based on their interest in journalism, English, creative writing, podcasting, broadcasting and/or similar topics.
Check out last year’s projects: Student projects 2025: Training the next generation of Columbus journalists
They dove deep into journalism principles while practicing their craft through interviewing, thinking, editing, recording and writing activities.
Students in the program completed the news and feature articles, podcasts, and videos linked by group on this page.Students were placed into teams and collectively selected a name for their respective group, as well as a topic for their final projects.
Below are links to each team’s projects and are listed by the student’s name.
Final projects listed by team
The Voice 4 Others
Tyler Clodfelter: Gentrification’s impact on memory
Brant Izzo: A deep look into the World Baseball Classic
Allana Moore: Our Brothers Keepers empowers Columbus youth
Ryan Vorvornator: How beneficial are Ohio’s data centers?
Jayla Hutcherson: Child abduction can be close to home, cause trauma
Serving Facts
Ashly Gomez: Postpartum mental health is often overlooked
Jamie Luna: Ohio’s school funding formula affects Columbus schools
Jaydan Tucker: Burnout is a silent crisis for high-achieving teens
Izaiah Cooper-Neff: High school athletes face unseen mental health struggles
Imerhea Davis: Behind Franklin Park Conservatory’s exhibit magic
Truth to the People
Joshua Carter: Experts say AI hurts literacy rates
Trinity Dawson: Local food pantries see fewer donations as costs rise
Imani Hague: How a student athlete handles stress, athletics
Zahyr Scott King: Student athlete talks challenges, motivation
The Knowledge
Delaney Davis: Colony Cats fosters community for cats, volunteers
Trinity Forbes:Preventing domestic violence is about speaking up
Eryn King:Linden-McKinley STEM Academy students organize ICE protest
Lorelai Throckmorton:Planned Parenthood persists despite federal defunding
Leah Vargas: Why teens vape, and the health risks they overlook
Samira Abdulai: School dress codes and looking professional
Scarlet Arts
Flor Velinda Aquino Gonzalez: ICE walkout sparks suspensions, student fears
Daniela Perez: ICE walkout sparks suspensions, student fears
Taryn Pollock: ICE impacts children, families in the community
Ta’Niyah Turner: ICE walkout sparks suspensions, student fears
Namfon Keokhounheun: ICE walkout sparks suspensions, student fears
Asher (Raven) McGrew: How students juggle work, school and stress
CCS Voice
Tiffany McVay: Who can still afford a home? It’s not young Ohioans
Brianna Moore: Pressure for Black girls in sports doesn’t stop at the buzzer
Rigden Tobden: How Columbus high schoolers are finding themselves
Isabel Escobar: Students say Ohio’s new driver’s ed rules cause burdens
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student projects 2026: Training the next generation of Columbus journalists
Reporting by Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
