“Almost 7 years have passed since I first joined Teen Press, and to this day it's an experience I have never, ever forgotten. Teen Press changed my life and gave me the opportunity to be taken seriously by celebrities like Clint Eastwood, Penelope Cruz, Steve Wozniak, and countless others, but its most important reward came when I started to take my own 13-year-old self seriously, and realized I could achieve just about anything.”
— Teen Press Alumni now College Sophomore, California, February 2016
“I haven’t been that inspired in a long time.”
— Claire O’Neill, Teen Press Screening, Multi-media Producer & Editor NPR’s The Picture Show, March 2016
“Thank you for coming to our school to show us how Teen Press can affect us in the real world. My favorite thing that you taught us was how a good handshake can can change the way people think of us.”
— Middle Schooler, Cotter Middle/High School Workshop, Minnesota, February 2016
“You were magic!”
— Kindergarten Fairy, Bend Film Festival, Oregon, October 2015
John and the Winona Teen Press Team, howling like wolves!
“Thank you for reminding me that my story is important.”
— High School Senior, St. Anne's-Belfield School, Virginia, November 2015
“Thanks to you, I am reminded of why I first wanted to be a teacher — and of the importance of teaching with intention.”
— Lizzie Smith, Napa Teen Press Workshop, Teacher @ Blue Oak Middle School, California, November 2015
“There is so much right with education in America today. This film is a great reminder of that. And the stories! But enough. I am officially a fangirl. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
— Stacey Hetrick, Teen Press Screening, Teacher @ Saegertown Jr. Sr. High School, Pennsylvania, April 2016
“When I was first informed of your program, I thought "Cool. These kids must be really blessed to have an experience like this. Well, time to go home.” and that's what I did. I never realized that this would be something that would change my life forever."
- Annie, Frozen River Teen Press 2016 @ Cotter Middle & High School, Minnesota, February 2016
Click here to read an 8th grader's 'Diary of a Teen Press Workshop' from Annie
John leading a Teen Press workshop at Cotter School in Winona, MN
”After watching the film three times today I wished it was longer. I laughed, I was inspired . . . I nearly cried.... My ~90 freshman journalism students were the quietest I've ever seen them as we watched.”
— Jennifer Sheppard, Teen Press Screening, Teacher @ Skaggs Catholic Center, Utah, April 2016
“The film, and more forcefully, the workshop John conducted at our school was truly transformative for my students and the way I'm teaching journalism.”
— Mike Costello, Frozen River Teen Press Workshop, Teacher @ Cotter Middle & High School, Minnesota, February 2016
“Thanks again for coming to NPR and showing the film. It really made my day! Your program is so inspiring.”
— LA Johnson, Teen Press Screening, Visual Journalist & Editor NPR Washington, DC, March 2016
Original Teen Press team member with the newly created Napa Valley Teen Press!