JEA announces theme and poster contest for Scholastic Journalism Week 2027
The Journalism Education Association has scheduled next year’s Scholastic Journalism Week for Feb. 22-26, 2027. The week’s theme is “Start Here, Change Everything.”
Here is what the Scholastic Journalism Week committee wrote about the 2027 theme:
Every great story begins somewhere. And in scholastic journalism, it begins in our classrooms, with a question, a notebook, a camera, a microphone or the courage to speak up when others stay silent.
“Start Here, Change Everything” celebrates the power of student journalists to inform their communities, elevate unheard voices and document the moments that define their schools and society. In classrooms, newsrooms, yearbook labs and broadcast studios, students learn far more than reporting, writing, editing and design; they learn how to seek truth, think critically, engage respectfully and lead with integrity.
Scholastic journalism is where curiosity becomes confidence, where observation becomes action, and where young people discover that their words and images have the power to inspire dialogue, create understanding and drive meaningful change. Every interview is an opportunity to listen. Every deadline is a lesson in responsibility. Every story is a chance to leave a lasting impact. Whether covering a championship game, celebrating student achievements, spotlighting important issues or preserving memories for future generations, student journalists are shaping the historical record of their communities while preparing to shape the world beyond them. The journey starts with a single idea, a single question or a single story, but the possibilities are limitless.
Start here. And together, we can change everything.
Scholastic Journalism Week daily themes and lesson plans
Each day of Scholastic Journalism Week 2027 will focus on a daily theme that breaks down the overall message.
Schools will be able to celebrate every day of SJW with curated lesson plans designed by JEA curriculum experts. These free lesson plans will correspond with the daily themes listed below. Lesson plans will be available through the event page in early January.
Monday, Feb. 22: Start.
Every journalist has a first story. Student journalists arrive with different experiences and skill levels, but they quickly discover that journalism is less about having all the answers and more about learning how to find them. The journey starts here, with a willingness to learn and a commitment to telling stories that matter.
Tuesday, Feb. 23: Here.
Journalism is most powerful when it is rooted in the community it serves. While national headlines and global events shape our world, student journalists make those issues meaningful by exploring how they affect their own campuses and communities. By focusing on the people and experiences closest to them, students learn that journalism starts locally and that some of the most meaningful stories can be found just down the hall.
Wednesday, Feb. 24: Change.
Being part of a journalism staff can be transformative. It teaches students to step outside their comfort zones, ask difficult questions and have conversations with people whose perspectives differ from their own. Through these experiences, students develop resilience, empathy, leadership and confidence. They learn that their voices matter and that their work can make a difference.
Thursday, Feb. 25: Student Press Freedom Day
On Thursday, join JEA in celebrating the 10th annual Student Press Freedom Day. The Student Press Law Center created this national day of action to give student journalists a platform to advocate for press freedom in their communities.
Friday, Feb. 26: Everything.
In a rapidly changing media landscape marked by misinformation, emerging technologies, shifting audiences and evolving platforms, the need for ethical, accurate and responsible journalism has never been greater. Scholastic journalism prepares students to meet that moment. Whether students pursue careers in media or take those skills into other fields, they leave with an understanding that informed citizens are essential to a healthy society.
Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest
JEA announces the return of the Scholastic Journalism Week Student Poster Contest. The contest opens Aug. 10, and entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. CDT Sept. 14.
The winner of the poster contest will receive $500. Additionally, their design will be showcased on the official SJW 2027 commemorative poster, as well as on JEA’s website and in additional promotions. To enter the contest, students should plan to submit an original 17- by 22-inch poster design inspired by the SJW 2027 theme “Start Here, Change Everything,” on or before Sept. 14. The cost is $10 per entry.
After the submission deadline, the SJW committee will select up to three finalists to move on to the voting round. Voting will be open to the JEA community from Sept. 22-30. The finalist with the most votes will be named the contest winner.
All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States are eligible to enter the poster contest. Team entries are allowed. Read full contest rules, requirements and instructions here.
JEA is proud to honor the importance of scholastic journalism through celebration, information and activism during Scholastic Journalism Week each year. Learn more about SJW 2027 here.