(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.
###
Contact: Fran Falkin
Email: FTFstaff@familytravelforum.com
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Looking for a summer vacation that will keep the whole family entertained? Check out the list of 51 great family summer vacation ideas in this blog. Whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy, historical, or just a relaxing getaway, this blog has covered. From beach trips to amusement park adventures also there’s something for families vacation in Klamath. So whether you’re planning your dream vacation or just dreaming it up, be sure to check out this blog.
Hello, I enjiy eading alll of your artkcle post. I waanted tto write
a little comment too support you.
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this site is very user genial! .
Congratulations on the content. Interesting..
Interesting and something new for me. Thanks for travel inspirations! 🙂
Awesome. I’m getting ready for my next trip, so I’m looking forward to more posts about places like whis. 😀 Thanks! 🙂
It sounds like Barcelona would be a great destination to study Spanish, even if Madrid or another town had more native speakers. Thanks for sharing the info, will look into this school for our teens.
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for posting. “He who seizes the right moment is the right man.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Great web site yoou have here.. It’s difcicult to find high quakity wrriting like yours these days.I seriously apreciate people like
you! Taake care!!
You are so cool! I don’t think I have read through something like that before.
So wonderful to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web,
someone with a bit of originality!
Top ,.. top top … post! Keep the good work on !
your article is so unique and very good
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Very informative post. Really Great.
Thanks for the blog article.Really thank you!
That was a nice write-up.The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting.
also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article and thank You for Providing Such a Unique and valuable information on
also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore<
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. Also, you could look Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, you can also have a look on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
well- articulated ! Thanks for sharing, Also, you may visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Excellent blog post, thanks for giving such informative articles. You might also check
Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth
information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Great Blog post. Thanks for sharing, also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us. you can also check on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
such a helpful and interesting blog, Thanks for the post. you can also visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
That was a nice write-up. The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting. you can also check onTours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
The greatest time to travel to Alaskan was during summer because the days are longer and the weather is warmer.
Relax on your spacious terrace as your opulent cruise liner passes creaky blue-white glaciers and verdant forests.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site. Thanks!
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking
for your information.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Your information is of great quality, thanks for sharing.
I have noted these ideas and will follow them this summer vacation. cause last time have enjoyed https://www.goldenbustours.com/new-york-to-niagara-falls-bus-tours/ and that was cool experince for me.
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!