Hurricane Katrina, Five Years Later

Today marks five years since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Louisiana coast.
Samantha Perez, a high school student from St. Bernard Parish -- whcih took the brunt of the storm -- was just starting her senior year when her family fled their home just before it hit.
Samantha Perez is a writer. She chronicled her own story of life before, during and after Katrina for Youth Journalism International. She began writing before the storm hit and continued for a year afterward. It's an amazing work, and if you haven't read it, take the time to do so.
This powerful, emotional and ultimately uplifting journal is all online in the independent teen newspaper, The Tattoo, at http://www.readthetattoo.com/.

Trapped In a Frightened Crowd With No Escape

One of my fine students at Youth Journalism International (http://www.youthjournalism.org/), Katie Grosser, who lives in Germany, jumped on the story about the tragic death of 19 young people at the Love Parade music festival in her country this weekend.

On deadline, she interviewed two other Germans who were at the festival, translated their words into English and wrote a compelling news story for the world to see. It's online now at http://www.readthetattoo.com/, so check it out.

A new issue of The Tattoo, an independent international teen newspaper that is separate from but very supportive of the 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, Youth Journalism International, showcases Katie Grosser's work and more. It's not completely finished, but it will be on Monday. Don't miss it.

Young Writers on Haiti

If you haven't already, check out www.ReadTheTattoo.com. This week's issue features three new writers from Youth Journalism International. There are a couple of compelling pieces on Haiti and four movie reviews. Don't miss it!