INDIANAPOLIS – Earth Charter Indiana (ECI) is pleased to announce that its program to support high school journalists writing about the environment and the climate crisis has launched its first print magazine featuring young journalists nationwide.
After three years of existence, posting dozens of stories on its site, the Youth Environmental Press Team (YEPT) is issuing its first-ever print product, a 28-page magazine with stories the youth directors deemed the most important of 2023.
The magazine features stories written by students at the following Indiana high schools:
- Carmel High School, Carmel
- Elkhart High School, Elkhart
- Fishers High School, Fishers
- John Adams High School, South Bend
- Purdue Polytechnic High School, Indianapolis
- West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, West Lafayette
The issue contains nine stories published in 2023 and one published in 2022. The subjects include the Norfolk Trail derailment, youth climate advocacy at the Indiana Statehouse, youth involvement in municipal climate progress, and how whales could help solve the climate crisis. The YEPT project is student-directed.
YEPT Director Emily Clark, a senior at John Adams High School: “I had the opportunity to lead the design aspect of this publication and felt excited to apply my graphic design knowledge to a project like this. Seeing everyone’s hard work pieced together into one collection is truly amazing.”
YEPT Director Ana Rakita, a senior at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School: “YEPT continues to give me so much valuable experience in different areas of journalism, and this publication was a wonderful learning experience for all of us. I love getting to work with such bright, friendly collaborators. Hopefully, getting these physical copies out to people will bring more needed attention to the climate crisis in Indiana and spotlight youth journalism.”
YEPT Director Elena Krueper, a senior at Elkhart High School: “YEPT has granted me the opportunity to not only use my voice for the greater good of the planet, but also amplify other youth voices and connect with a multitude of environmental experts and leaders across the state, and ultimately, the country.”
Current YEPT Directors also include Raina Maiga, a junior at Purdue Polytechnic High School, and Veda Thangudu, a senior at Fishers High School.
ECI Director of Advancement Jim Poyser is the adult supervisor for YEPT, which has five high school student directors and numerous environmental reporters.
“I was in the print publication business from 1990 to 2013 at numerous publications, including NUVO, and I have to say it sure is nice to have something solid in hand again, Poyser said.“I’m glad the students wanted to do this, as it provides a spectacular showcase for their remarkable work. I’m proud of them.”
Elkhart High School’s Krueper added, “Working on this print publication has been such an amazing experience to collaborate and learn about the current status of the climate crisis from other concerned students— and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Much like the other directors, I hope that our work will continue to inspire other youth activists and encourage lawmakers to create more sustainable changes in Indiana.”
Copies of the publication are available upon request; Poyser and the youth directors are available for interviews. Cover image for use:
