(New York, NY – September 22, 2013) Congratulations to all student travel bloggers who earned 2013 Scholarships from Family Travel Forum (FTF) and the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) for college or further travels. Over 5,000 students ages 13-18, educated in US or American-International schools or home-schooled, applied for this merit scholarship.
The seventh Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship accepted submissions April 15 through July 22, 2013. The topic, turning the author’s favorite community into a travel destination, was a departure from prior contests. “In writing about their chosen towns,” notes Fran Falkin, senior editor at Family Travel Forum, “we read of their great pride, and an appreciation for nature and close community ties.”
FTF was grateful for the sponsorship of event producer Travel Media Showcase (TMS), the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism CaymanKind program and CityPASS. Joanne Vero of TMS says, “We are committed to this scholarship with FTF and SATW because it helps our teens move write along to become the next generation of educated travelers.”
Three preliminary rounds of judging done by FTF interns, senior members of SATW and FTF editors narrowed down the huge volume of eloquent blogs, photographs and videos. The Quarter-Finalist rank, reached by 14% of the total entries submitted, was re-read until Semi-Finalist travel blogs numbered less than 1%.
The top Finalist essays were passed to a panel of professional travel journalists, editors and photographers from SATW who judged them on originality, eloquence and a sense of place. “We are honored to partner again wth FTF to celebrate teen travel writers and their future as travel journalists and photographers,” adds Lillian Africano, president of SATW.
We congratulate the Winners of the 2013 Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship and thank them for submitting such great work.
FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Winners for 2013:
1st Place ($1,000):
“The Wonderful Land of Coney” by Deborah Teslyar, Brooklyn, New York
2nd Place ($500):
“Shades of Gray: Mixing Light and Dark in St. Petersburg, Russia” by Diana Kruzman, Cupertino, California
3rd Place ($200):
“Orange City: Iowa’s Most Unique Cultural Jewel” by Bethany Dykstra, Orange City, Iowa
FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Honorable Mentions 2013:
(Honorarium includes travel journals and passes to any Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum)
“Hipsters and Wanderers” by Anisha Agarwal, Portland, Oregon
“Sweet Simplicity” by Brock Allen, Concord, New Hampshire
“The Chocolate Covered Pretzel I Call Home” by Emily Bordelove, Henderson, Nevada
“The Hidden Gems of Canton” by Emily Bowen, Canton, Ohio
“Sunshine. Simplicity. Ssenga.” by Hannah Carrol, Englewood, Ohio
“Life Under the Big Sky – Bozeman, Montana” by Nichole Chimbos, Bozeman, Montana
“Colors in the Air” by Katy Cui, Bellevue, Washington
“The City of Sawdust “Claws” its Way into Top Tourist Destination” by Megan Diermeier, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
“Vancouver. (No, not BC.) Washington. (No, not DC.)” by Waverley He, Vancouver, Washington
“The Normal and Extraordinary Places of Bangladesh” by Neelim Haider, Arlington, Texas
“Good Things Come in Small Packages” by Kierstynn Holman, Webberville, Michigan
“Cows, Colleges, and Contentment” by Jessica Holmes, Dundas, Minnesota
“Star of Bavaria” by Jessica Hutcheson, Douglasville, Georgia
“Grab a Bike and Explore Wassenaar, NL” by Ashley Kopf, Houston, Texas
“A Panorama of Life: Poughkeepsie, NY” by Lavinia Liang, Poughkeepsie, New York
“What a Desert Oasis Really Looks Like” by Zoe Mendoza, Tucson, Arizona
“We’re Still in Kansas, Toto” by Natalie Moran, Overland Park, Kansas
“Second to None: Why Chicago is America’s Heart” by Gregory Ross, Elmhurst, Illinois
“Sizzlin’ n’ Spicy; that’s Right Y’all, I Live In Texas!” by Jessica Sadler, Arlington, Texas
“Austin, Texas – Things To Do and Reasons To Visit!” by Naomi Shamblin, Austin, Texas
“The Town Where Art Lives: Saugatuck” by Kate Stanloski, Allegan, Michigan
“Wild Wonders of the Himalayas” by Adam Verma, Houston, Texas
“Small-Town Delight in a Big-City World: Discovering Baldwinsville, NY” by Shelley Verma, Baldwinsville, New York
“Rural Japan – A Vacation for those in Need of More” by Monica Weller, Westminster, Colorado
“Forest, Farm, and Southern Charm: Why Hayden, Alabama is the Best Southern Travel Destination You’ve Never Heard Of” by Emily Wiginton, Warrior, Alabama
For the fourth year, prizes for Best Photograph and Best Video are given by SATW in recognition of the multimedia skills required of today’s professional travel journalists.
2013 Teen Travel Scholarship Best Photography
(SATW Honorarium of a $150 Photography Equipment Merchandise Gift Certificate)
“The Untouched Magic of Kaua’i: The Garden Island” by Kalena Wong, Kalaheo, Kaua’i, Hawai’i
2013 Teen Travel Scholarship Best Video
(SATW Honorarium of a $150 Photography Equipment Merchandise Gift Certificate)
“Running Saved My Life” by Michael Benjamin, Eastvale, California
About Family Travel Forum (FTF)
Family Travel Forum is the best resource for planning fun family vacations; trusted since 1996 by parents and grandparents traveling the world with kids. FTF’s award-winning vacation planning sites feature savvy tips and destination reviews; the Top 10 Getaways survey of resort-based infant programs; a robust Flee Market™; forums and user blogs highlighted in “The Complete Idiots Guide to the Best Family Destinations” (Alpha Penguin). FTF consults to the trade via Family Travel Consulting and co-hosts TMS Family Travel conference.
About Travel Media Showcase (TMS)
Travel Media Showcase (TMS), now in its 14th year, is the leading rendezvous for travel and tourism marketers to connect with media professionals and promote destinations, services and attractions. TMS Family Travel, in its 2nd year, runs professional enrichment conferences for media and sponsors interested in the family travel market. Both fun, first-class events are among the many successful meetings produced by J. Vero Associates, proud sponsors of the FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship.
About Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
The Society of American Travel Writers was established in 1955, and its membership includes journalists, editors,photographers, filmmakers, bloggers, and communications professionals who specialize in the travel industry. SATW promotes responsible journalism, provides professional support and development for its members, and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide. To learn more about SATW and Travel’s Most Trusted Voices, please visit www.satw.org. Follow SATW on Facebook at www.facebook.com/satwofficial and on Twitter @SATW.
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Contact: Fran Falkin
Email: FTFstaff@familytravelforum.com
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Good morning,
I wanted to give you some feedback…. We went to your site to determine what documentation was needed for my grandson to travel with me to Canada, and printed out two forms. We had one of the forms notarized as suggested, and set out on our trip the next day. When we arrived at the border, I was told we did not have proper identification! The page we had been working from on your site did not say anything about a birth certificate or photo ID, which they said I should have had. PLEASE amend that page to say something like… “In addition to a birth certificate and photo ID, these other documents are recommended…”
Thank you so much for your responsiveness. You may mention this on other pages on your site, but it really should also be on the documentation page.
Janet Gill
It all depends in which season you are travelling. November and December is being a very high season for any year to Europe and Asia.and Jan to Mar is where you will get the cheapest airfares of the year. Check out this web site http://www.skyfly-travels.com for cheap airline tickets.
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Does Australia require a PERMISSION TO TRAVEL letter?
Oahu is famous for its surfing beach at Waikiki, and that’s where many tourists take their first lesson. There’s calmer water as well as huge waves (if you know how to catch them) and there are many, more popular schools right there on the sand.
You don’t have to stay at a fancy hotel ot take lessons even though some schools are affilated with them; any surf guide will take you to other parts of the island and practice safe surfing with you.
My apologies, Michelangelo's David is not in the Uffizi, but in the Gallery of the Accademia. We did not travel to the Uffizi; the Gallery is the museum which houses David, and all of Michelangelo's bound slave statues.
Happy Travels!
Like you’re going to see any tourists riding the Banzai
What about tourist friendly surf spots?
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Just for clarification, it doesn't matter if a certain casino is the largest/smallest, the thing is that gamblers all over the world could play casino games they've wanted. As long as all types of games such as pokers, slot machines, etc. are available, then it's the type of casino we've always wanted in the first place. Well, we can't deny the fact that there's a lot of larger casinos in Netherlands…. 🙂
Usually it's better to confront your fears. If you choose to do so, as a parent you can start prepping your child with a couple of weeks before the flight. Try taking him to an adventure park where there are similar crafts to airplanes. And step by step you will get him used to flying. Otherwise, if you start drugging him since a child, as you said no good doctor can recommend it. I'm not sure if you would like to take him to rehab because he'll be getting to used to taking too many drugs all the time.
hi all 🙂
My family and I recently visited Morocco.
we booked a local agenct called http://www.desertbleu.org Morocco! Ali – the guide of the company,help my family to tailor made a 9 days 8 night private tour,helping us to arrange for drivers,hotels..etc.
we had a fantastic time in these 9 days. Ali try his best to satisfy all our wants anytime and explain everything to us very clearly.he treat you like a fds 🙂
Price of the private tour fm him is reasonable compared with others agency as i have done some research for about 2 months before this trip. my family and I were taken good care of during our 9 days.
If anyone is interested in travelling in Morocco – I'd recommend http://www.desertbleu.org Morocco
These are really good places to go on a family eco friendly vacation. Very beautiful with amazing nature. Eco vacations are getting more and more popuar nowaday and it is good that people appreciate the nature.
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Thanks ….Family Travel Forum's guide to the best family attractions, parks, museums, and events in New York, I bookmark this site.
your link for disney land does not lead you to disneyland, it goes to Catalina Island info
Thanks for the heads-up, we fixed the link and hope you were able to find what you needed about Disneyland.
We are a FAMILY OF 4 . 2 ADULTS & 2CHILDREN 10 & 13 YRS. we need one FAMILY ROOM.
FROM 26TH DECEMBER 2011 OR THE 31ST D.CEMBER 2011 FOR 7 NIGHTS. WE WANT AN ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE. PLUS TRANSPOSTtion from the nearest nearby Airport.
FROM Moira Saliba (Malta)
Going to the theme parks without the kids is FUN FUN FUN 🙂
Paul, from Kaleidoscope Adventures
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I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an idea. Cheers.
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Olive Restaurant
Olive Restaurant is the first terrace restaurant in the old town Istanbul. Olive Restaurant is a part of YaÅŸmak Hotels which has the experience of hospitality since 1955. At Olive Restaurant, you can feel the past and present together. You will pursue the trace of history just by looking at the Panoramic view of Istanbul Peninsula. The amazing view of St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus lays out in front of you with an amazing harmony together. On the other side, welcomes you the Golden Horn which is a heritage from Genoeses while you are enjoying various delicious tastes of Turkish and International cuisine.
The 3-star Hotel Olimpiyat Istanbul offers comfortable accommodation in a fantastic location, just steps from the most famous symbols of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar!
Olimpiyat Hotel is a modern three star hotel built in 1955 and fully renovated in 2006. It is located in the old town of Istanbul and in a walking distance to major attractions as well as the port and famous train station Orient Express!
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Don't forget Bob Megraw's Blueberry Patch in Kent! They always have the sweetest selection! Check out this other list I found for u-pick spots around Seattle:
http://www.redtri.com/seattle/5-natural-blueberry-u-picks-near-seattle
any idea about what time leaves turn? thanks, lmccutch@aol.com
We are hosting our first exchange student this year with EF Foundation for Foreign Study! Our family can't wait until he arrives!
I only wish I could host 3 students instead of two! Love EF
My family did this a few years ago and had a great experience. Highly recommended!
Scottsdale, Arizona is known as ‘The West’s Most Western Town’. With average of 300 sunshine days Scottsdale is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. There is plenty to do in this beautiful resort town.
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Hosting an exchange student is a life changing experience for both students and host families! There is so much we have to learn from each other. Getting to know more about a new culture is exciting at ANY age.
As the Director of International Programs in a private school, I have worked with recruiting & placing foreign exchange students in host families. The bonds between host and student become cemented over time and even after the official host experience ends, families continue to be involved. If you are considering becoming a host, I recommend talking with an experienced host family to get the good, the bad and the ugly. Somehow, the good always dominates the experience.
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I think we need to bring more ideas for this purpose. Involvement of young people can be handy in this regard. I am happy to find a good post here. Thank you
Took a lot of time to read but I really found this very interesting and informative, thank you buddy for sharing.
The weekend gateways and short trips from the Dallas are quite interesting. I found the Hope watermelon festival more interesting. All the road trip options are gr8!
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Rome is a wonderful city in Italy. Thanks for exploring the places in rome and tips about sightseeing and planning trip to Rome. I am sure teenagers will definitely enjoy all the places.
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"The Mohegan Sun, which claims to be the second largest casino in the world and the largest convention and meetings destination in the Northeast, opened in 1996 and was expanded in 2001."
Wow! is it for real? I bet theres larger casinos in Netherlands than that. — http://nl.unibet.com/casino
Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information.
All the safaries are seems to be very interesting and happening. The kids have fascination about the animals, so I think kids will enjoy these safaries more.
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Very informative and nice post. This post will be good guide for people who trvavel frequently and do not care about the leagal issues. This post will really help them to understand the involoved leagal issues and other things related to traveling in forrign countries.
Great article!!! Makes me want to travel to Gatlinburg!!! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!
That was great!
Awesome job! Sounds like a fun trip!
I like how you described sights you saw. and how much fun you had. I enjoyed reading
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