(New York, NY – October 4, 2016) Family Travel Forum (FTF) and its travel industry partners are pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship. For 10 years, this annual merit scholarship has been hosted by the award-winning vacation guide publisher to promote teen literacy and reward teens’ best travel blogs with cash prizes for college or future travels.
Between June 1 and July 13, 2016, nearly 2,000 students in US, Canada, American-International schools or home-schools applied to blog about a travel experience, whether near or far, that had a meaningful impact.
The generous sponsorship of Allianz Global Assistance USA, ScholarTrips, Travel Media Showcase, TMS Family Travel, Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), CityPASS and Lonely Planet made the 10th annual scholarship possible.
“We are thrilled to have been a part of the tenth annual FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship,” said Daniel Durazo, director of communications for Allianz Global Assistance USA. “Providing students with an opportunity to learn through travel sets them up for greater success in life and a better understanding of different cultures and ideas. Allianz Global Assistance prides ourselves on this belief, which is why we have continued to support our ScholarTrips program.”
“We cannot thank our sponsors enough for helping to sustain this scholarship,” said FTF Senior Editor Fran Falkin, “which has inspired more than 50,000 young writers to share their travels. We know they’ve connected with students around the world, because both Cambridge University Press and Bildungshaus Schulbuchverlage GmbH have selected these travel blogs as source material for their English language textbooks.”
Three preliminary rounds of judging were done by FTF interns, members of the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and FTF editors who selected Quarter-Finalist, Semi-Finalist and Finalist blogs comprising 25% of the essays submitted.
Winners were selected from the top 1% by a team of professional educators from the JEA, writers from SATW, and representatives from the Society of Professional Journalists, and Tourism Cares, the charitable arm of the travel and tourism industry. Finalist essays were judged on creativity and eloquence; a sense of place; emotional impact; vocabulary and style; and grammar, punctuation and spelling.
We congratulate the winners of the 2016 Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship and thank all bloggers for submitting such great work.
2016 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Winners:
Winners receive a cash stipend plus a GoPro Travel Bag:
1st Place – $1,000
“Setting Foot in a Nation of Faith and Resilience,” by Arnold Icaro, Pflugerville, Texas
2nd Place – $500
“On Painting Impasto,” by Samantha Kiss, Chesapeake, Virginia
3rd Place – $250
“A Rose in the Desert – Serenity in Damascus,” by Bakr Marouf, Annandale, Virginia
2016 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Honorable Mention:
Honorees receive a Certificate of Commendation and a subscription to Lonely Planet Magazine:
“A Grand Design,” by Allison DeBoer, Auburn, Washington
“A Stroll in Berlin,” by Noa Donvan, Washington, DC
“A Thousand Ones,” by Isabel Campbell, Burlington, Kentucky
“Breathtaking Moments: Finding Freedom in Our Vast Planet,” by Kate Shaffer, Ringoes, New Jersey
“China’s Treasure,” Nina Mayers, Richmond, Texas
“Death on the Bridge of Life,” by Jolyna Chiangong, Southfield, Michigan
“Hope in the Midst of Despair,” by Sophia Ebel, Urbana, Illinois
“Joy Amidst Devastation,” by Sarah George, Indianapolis, Indiana
“My Soul for Santa Maria: Life Lessons Learned from a Volcano,” by Hannah Bahls, Port Townsend, Washington
“Navigating the Dark in the City of Light,” by Giuliana Nicolucci-Altman, Chicago, Illinois
“Of Heat and Humanity,” by Allyson Xie, San Diego, California
“Pilatus: The Dragon’s Mountain,” by Mary-Bryant Charles, Greenville, South Carolina
“Rediscovering My Roots,” by Alejandro Jacobo, Pembroke Pines, Florida
“Seoul-Searching,” by Angelica Kim, Vancouver, BC, Canada
“Storming Castles and Hunting Dwarves in Poland,” by Bryson Jones, Gilbert, Arizona
“Sunrise Serenade – Hiking Navajo Peak, Washington,” by Adam Tucker, Mercer Island, Washington
“The Blossoming of Compassion,” by Alexandra Johnson, Raleigh, North Carolina
“The Universal Language: Ice Cream Cones and Crayola Crayons,” by Haley Eblin, Grosse Ile, Michigan
“Too Close for Comfort,” by Alexander Samland, Torokbalint, Pest, Hungary
“Where Humans and Wildlife Collide,” by Justin Velasco, Maple Valley, Washington
About Family Travel Forum
Family Travel Forum has been the trusted vacation planning resource for global travel with kids and grandkids since 1996. FTF’s expert and community content has been seen on Disney’s Family.com and other sites, in “America’s Most Popular Family Vacations,” “The Complete Idiots Guide to the Best Family Destinations,” “Amazing Places to Take Your Kids in North America” and by millions of traveling families. In addition to co-hosting the annual TMS Family Travel Summit and conferences, FTF ventures include the “The Family Vacationist” blog and e-alert; and Family Travel Consulting to the trade in partnership with Taking the Kids.
About Allianz Global Assistance
Allianz Global Assistance is a leading specialty insurance and assistance company with operations in 34 countries. In the United States, Allianz Global Assistance insures 16 million customers and is best known for its travel insurance plans. Additionally, Allianz Global Assistance supports the education of young travelers by providing them the opportunity to travel the world through their ScholarTrips essay contest. This merit scholarship will be accepting submissions from October 10 to November 10, 2016. Six Grand Prize winners will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
About TTW Travel Industry Partners
Travel Media Showcase and TMS Family Travel, divisions of J. Vero & Associates, are designed to bring together leading print and broadcast travel media with tourism representatives from around the world to showcase new regions for media to cover, and connect destinations with qualified leads. The Society of American Travel Writers, a tax-exempt, professional association established in 1955, includes journalists, editors, photographers, filmmakers, bloggers, and communications professionals who specialize in the travel industry.
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Contact: Fran Falkin
Email: FTFstaff @familytravelforum.com
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This is such a true indicator of Barcelona and Spain in general. For the family vacation or longer term family travels Barcelona is just brilliant. The Spanish adore their children and have such a fabulous fun filled approach to sharing their enthusiasm that young visitors are thrilled and enchanted by the City and the country in general.
I would also go a place like this..so beautiful and refreshing..
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thanks
I was wondering if we can be added to your recommended rental agents? We have over 50 beachfront properties, ranging form 1-10 bedrooms, specializing in homes for large groups and family reunions!
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maurice doyle: You should certainly be in touch with the airline's Customer Support staff to get a refund for any fees you paid to have an escort, if no one was provided. However, most of the airlines don't require an escort for a child that is 14 years old, even when changing planes, therefore they may not have broken any laws by not having one available.
What a fantastic article and most importantly website. This site is a fantastic tool for families who are beginning their vacations and who may require some support in their planning to cover specific needs.
Thank you. The information is very helpful and before receiving your email, I came to the same conclusion about limiting the trip to Rome and Sicily. You just gave me affirmation. I would love to go to Venice, but that'll will need to wait for another trip.
Thanks again,
Mindy
my grandson flew from sacramento ca. to nixa mo he is 14 yrs of age.We paid for an escort to get him to the next flight out of denver co.at sacramento they told my daughter that it was the last flight out and there is nobody to escort him.can you plese help me with this i want to claim my refund.thany you
Maurice Doyle
417 724 9931
Nice Post. Looking for your next Post. Thanks
This is a normal requirement with any business who are in the care of under aged young people. I believe there is a medical consent that is required at the time of any travel plans.
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this sounds like what we're looking for, too. what area did you look at, and what is the name of the place or rental agent that you used? thanks!
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What fortunate chidlren. Not only to have a great vacation with both parents, but to experience South AMerica at such a young age. Congratulations to such thoughtful parents.
The concept of house swapping is just mind boggling. I really cannot understand why this has not become a world focus for obtaining great vacations at a very cheap cost for accommodation.
Costa Rica conjures images that I can relate to! The similarities to the beautiful island of Phuket are a reminder that we still have many Islands and locations that are thought to be paradise. The key is to care for the land and sea in order for all the benefit for ours and our childrens lifestyle.
Cebu is great
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Hey, Cebu is the Queen City of The South All over the country. It is a place where you can enjoy perfectly. There are so many HOTELS for accommodations,Bars,Cafe's, Disco bar, lot of beach resorts, a lot of adventures, so many malls for shopping, a great place for everyone.
And for me, Cebu is the finest place for me all over the Country, and I have a great life here. This place is somewhat like a paradise. Cebu is the place where I experience a paradise life. So, I want you to visit and stay here in Cebu. And I assure you, you will never regret when you go here.
Thanks for a great article. The only thing I would add is that some new websites are starting to focus on relying on personalised vacation rental referrals from their own social media friends network.
This is a great step forward to avoid potential fraud attempts etc, and ensure your family vacation goes as it should!
Have a look at HolidayRentalsForMe.com – its a great new way of finding a great holiday home for your next family vacation.
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Sure Croatia's beautiful and I can offer you low cost walking tours in Dubrovnik city.
sometimes is to much and you will leave the children at home. I dont know why they want that many documents
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Ooo…Nepal…
Still i remember my first and last visit to Nepal.. that was awesome.. I love there traditional costumes and all.
every one should go there.
in my opinion is to much. Sometimes is better to stay at home.
There are so many other things to do in the Wisconsin Dells as well! You can have a visit with nature and I strongly suggest checking out Devil's Lake and Mirror Lake, the local state parks. Going for a tour on the Wisconsin Ducks is an memorable experience too!
Thanks for sharing..
Regardless of gender, good parenting is not unique to heterosexual couples. I think this is a fantastic breakthrough as committed couple or singles do make good parents.
I also recommend talking to others that have been to the place that you are going. They will have great ideas on what to see and what to avoid if you have children.
Regardless of gender, good parenting is not unique to heterosexual couples. I think this is a fantastic breakthrough as committed couple or singles do make good parents.
sometimes I prefer to stay at home my my children… there are to many documents required
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