Based in Anchorage, the Alaska Teen Media Institute (ATMI), a program of Spirit of Youth, celebrates youth voice and creates journalist leaders in Alaska. The mission of the Alaska Teen Media Institute is to provide teens with the tools and training needed to produce stories and with the
opportunity for their stories, told in their own voices, to be shared through a variety of media. Modeled after the celebrated Youth Radio program in California, ATMI is available to any youth. ATMI functions as a teen newsroom where, under the guidance of experienced journalists, youth work as reporters, editors and producers.

In 2003 Alaska ICE supported Spirit of Youth’s launching of ATMI to offer students mentorship in radio, print, video and web journalism. ATMI teens learn and practice the skills of researching, interviewing, editing, and production of news stories. They produce the hour-long In Other News program that airs monthly on Anchorage radio station KNBA with a mix of news, information and music.

In 2010, ATMI produced a number of stories and public service announcements and numerous organizations (Alaska Geographic, Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Alaska Mobility Coalition and the Forest Service) have contracted with the teens to produce audio/video projects, public service announcements, and to conduct workshops for teens and adults.  In 2011, ATMI continued to build collaborative relationships and produce award-winning news stories.

ATMI received the following awards for 2010 and 2011:

Alaska Broadcasters Goldies
• Best News Feature
(“Dancing on 15th and Ingra,” by Tiana Johnson)
• Best News Feature
(“Youth Court,” by Michelle Paras)
• Best Radio Sports News Story – 2011
(“On the Trail” by Ishmael Streever)

Alaska Press Club Awards
• Second Place-Best radio feature
(“The power of plastic,” by Max Jungries)
• Third Place-Best user-submitted online content
(“Question of the month!”)
• Third Place-Best radio profile
(“A cold freezing night,” by Aviva Hirsch)

Youth Journalism International – 2011
• Second Place Features – “Singing in the shower” by Ishmael Streever
• Honorable Mention News – “Rejected” by Nikki Navio
• Honorable Mention Features – “The Power of Plastic” by Max Jungreis
• Second Place Profile – “A freezing cold night” by Aviva Hirsch

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ATMI has received numerous journalism awards and recognition by the Search Institute as being a role model for asset building. Read the article.