2015 High School Journalism Institute

The students of the 2015 High School Journalism Institute class. Eighteen more students will join their ranks this year.

(Staff)

What is it like to be a journalist?

Eighteen talented students will learn this week at the High School Journalism Institute. The seven-day training program for Oregon and southwest Washington teens starts Saturday at Oregon State University.

The Oregonian/OregonLive partners with Oregon State each year to host the institute, because we believe these students have the power to shape the future of journalism.

The High School Journalism Institute has reached hundreds of students whose own experiences and backgrounds are underrepresented in mainstream media today. Newsrooms need voices like theirs to remain relevant and to reflect the increasingly diverse communities in which we all live.

But first? These aspiring journalists must learn the tricks of the trade.

This week, students will report, write, take photos and produce videos with help from professional mentors.

Many of the stories they write will be tied to a simple but powerful theme: "What's next?"

They will ask big questions about current issues and explored how those trends will impact the future. Their work will provide a glimpse into the future - one they will be part of writing.

You can follow their progress and stories throughout the week in the special Teens section of OregonLive.com or by following #hsji2016 on social media. All the students' hard work will also appear in The Pride, the annual program newspaper.

The Class of 2016 is:

Sonide Bocage, Parkrose High School

Jovani Camarena, Reynolds High School

Alex Diaz, Parkrose High School

Allison Echeverria, Westview High School

Elizabeth "Izzy" Escobar, Parkrose High School

Maya Fiallos, Lincoln High School

Melanie Gonzalez, Reynolds High School

Isabel Lim, Parkrose High School

Kyler Kaykeo, Fort Vancouver High School

Sarah Milshtein, Westview High School

Hanin Najjar, International School of Beaverton

Dylan Palmer, Grant High School

Kyleah Puyear, St. Helens High School

Elizabeth Radcliffe, North Marion High School

Toli Tate, Grant High School

Amelia Underhill, Silverton High School

Annie Vong, Parkrose High School

Julian Wyatt, Grant High School

For more information about the High School Journalism Institute, contact director Molly Young at myoung@oregonian.com.