40 Canadian teen journalists get chance to report 2010 Olympics Special

When the 2010 Winter Games begin in Vancouver 40 journalists will be covering history in the making by being part of that history. Forty teenage journalists from across Canada will be reporting as part of a program called Historica-Dominion at the Games.

For young journalists in Canada this could be a once in a life chance. The deadline for submitting an essay or video is October 23. Students 16 to 18 are eligible to enter either one or two of the contests for a chance to be part of Encounters with Canada, a program with the Historica-Dominion Institute for a week at the Vancouver Olympic or Paralympic Games in 2010. Vancouver 2010.com reports:

“These Games are about creating lasting legacies for Canada and what better way to do that than to involve our youth, put them right in the centre of the action and provide them with a creative outlet to share their experiences with others?” Burke Taylor, VANOC’s vice president of culture, celebration and education programs said. “This will be something they will always look back on with pride and a sense of accomplishment.”

The 40 who are selected will have to pay a fee of $625 that will cover their meals, local transportation and other costs for their week long stay. Eric Saxton, director of recruitment and transportation at Encounters With Canada, spoke to me about the contest for Canada's youth. "So far we have had a good response from the students with over 34 submissions sent in. There have been more essays than videos but we have been told there are videos in the editing process about to be submitted." Saxton said that a poster was sent out to all Canadian high schools earlier this year telling students about the contest. Along with the poster a press release was issued and mailings to alumni were sent. I asked about the cost to the students and if that would limit students in a lower social economic situation. "The $625 covers everything from the swag the students will be given to their uniforms for the event. They will have their meals and lodging provided. As for the cost we encourage the students to do fund raising for the event. The Rotary Club and other service organizations have been very helpful in the past with these projects." There is very little time for students to get a submission in. In two days the contest is closed to entries and the judging process will take place. This portion of the contest will yield 8 spots. Six spots have already been pre-selected by the staff. The remaining 26 spots will be decided among students residing in Vancouver.