Because youth are the future!
Since 2023, we’ve extended an invitation every spring to Ventura County’s seniors for our annual Youth Essay Contest. Youth advocacy matters more than ever, whether it’s youth putting news literacy into action or students holding the powerful accountable.
If you’re a senior who fights for social justice, we encourage you to submit a thoughtfully written essay for your chance at winning scholarship prizes and visibility. Checkout our past winners and their inspiring submissions, as well as Our Favorite Articles: A collection of the best writings about democracy from across the USA.
28 May 2025: 3rd Annual Contest Winners
Back in May 2025, JFAVC honored the winners of our 2025 Youth Essay Contest, including First Place winner Diana Martinez (pictured) of Fillmore High School and Second Place winner Graceldy Tau of Thousand Oaks High School. Third Place’s Gabriel Aversa and Honorable Mention Maisie Hatler represented Ventura High School.
8 May 2025: 3rd Annual Winning Essay
For the third year in a row, JFAVC invited seniors from Ventura County’s public high schools to argue how they would transform the phrase “Democracy Begins Locally” from words to action. Students expressed their ideas on what motivates youth to act, and that year’s First Place winner was Diana Martinez. Checkout her winning video essay!
30 May 2024: 2nd Annual Contest Winners
JFAVC honored our 2024 contest winners, including First Place winner Chantel Tapiahail and Second Place winner Camilo Garcia of Oxnard Middle College High School. Third Place’s Larissa Barralaga and Honorable Mention Marian Castro (pictured) represented Hueneme High School, and we photographed them with our Board President, Shane Meserve.
9 May 2024: 2nd Annual Winning Essay
The theme of our 2nd Annual Youth Essay Contest — for which we received outstanding, passionate submissions — was Election 2024: What actions can you and others take to support democracy? First Place winner Chantel Tapiahail represented Oxnard Middle College High School with her winning essay, which we’ve embedded above!
5 June 2023: Senior Awards & Scholarship Night
It was a pleasure to attend the Senior Awards & Scholarship Night ceremony at Ventura High School on June 5, 2023. We were there to present awards to three outstanding students for their winning submissions to our first-ever Youth Essay Contest.
Ava, Brooke and Abby, who wrote essays about their personal activism and advocacy in their community, are all pictured here with our Board President Shane Meserve in Ventura High School’s auditorium. We think all three are off to fantastic futures, and we’re happy to contribute to their efforts. Cheers to these young activists!