The Aztec is launching a project called SDSyouth to mentor and encourage high school students interested in pursuing journalism as a college major. At a time where countless programs promote science, technology, engineering and mathematic majors to high school students, journalists must do the same for their majors and careers.

During its inaugural phase, The Aztec’s SDSyouth will focus on recognizing students in high school newspapers, journalism clubs and English classes with an emphasis on journalistic writing. Participating schools will send whichever article and photo they deem to be the best from every print issue, digital edition or set of content they produce. The Aztec will reproduce those stories in a special section of its website, thedailyaztec.com, alongside a writer or photographer bio including their journalistic goals.

Once a month, The Aztec’s editorial board will vote on the top three stories and photos submitted. The top submissions will be published in full in the print edition of The Aztec, and the two runner-ups will be recognized in print. All three will receive an official certificate of recognition from The Aztec for their outstanding journalistic efforts.

Schools interested in participating or learning more about The Aztec’s SDSyouth program should contact The Aztec Editor in Chief Leonardo Castaneda at editor@thedailyaztec.com.