Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is Kidizenship?
3. Kidizenship’s Engaging Contests
4. The Perks of Participating in Kidizenship
5. Notable Figures & Judges
6. The Students United News Network (SUNN)
7. How to Get Involved with Kidizenship
8. Supporting Kidizenship
9. FAQ Section
10. Conclusion
Introduction
In a world facing complex challenges, young voices are crucial for shaping a brighter future. Empowering youth to engage in civics and become active, informed citizens is vital for creating a more just and sustainable democracy. Kidizenship, a platform designed specifically for tweens and teens, provides a unique and engaging space for young people to express their visions and ideas, fostering a generation of changemakers.
What is Kidizenship?
Kidizenship is a non-partisan media platform catering to young individuals between the ages of 8 and 18, with a core focus on civic engagement. The platform’s mission is to present civics education in an engaging way, blending it with creative self-expression and community action. By doing so, Kidizenship aims to nurture a generation dedicated to building a brighter future and fostering an inclusive, just, and sustainable democracy.
Kidizenship’s Engaging Contests
Kidizenship utilizes a series of exciting contests to ignite civic interest and inspire action among young people. These contests provide a fun and interactive way for participants to delve into important civic concepts while showcasing their unique talents and perspectives.
Here are a few examples of the engaging contests hosted by Kidizenship:
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“Fly Your Flag”: This thought-provoking contest challenges participants to redesign the American flag, encouraging them to express what the flag represents to them and their vision for America. One captivating winning entry was Zoe’s creative design featuring a purple ear of corn, symbolizing the blending of America’s diverse population and heritage.
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“Write Your Hero”: This contest encourages young individuals to write essays about their civic heroes, individuals who have made a positive impact on their communities or the nation. These inspiring stories shed light on the diverse range of individuals contributing to a better society, from local activists to national figures.
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“Sing Your Anthem”: For aspiring musicians, this contest presents an opportunity to write and perform their own national anthems, expressing their values and dreams for the country through music. The contest fosters a sense of patriotism and encourages participants to contemplate the ideals that shape a nation.
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“Show Us YOUR Nashville”: Focusing on local impact, this contest invites young people in Nashville to share their ideas for positive changes in their city. The contest promotes community engagement and allows participants to contribute to creating a more vibrant and inclusive city.
These are just a few examples of the captivating contests hosted by Kidizenship. Past contests have included “Make Your Speech,” “Champion Your Cause,” “Build Your Monument,” and “Snap Your Solution!” Each contest offers exciting prizes of up to $1000, allowing winners to choose whether to keep the prize money or donate it to a cause they believe in.
The Perks of Participating in Kidizenship
Participating in Kidizenship offers numerous benefits for young individuals:
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Creative Expression: The platform provides a unique avenue for youth to express their thoughts and visions creatively through various mediums like art, music, and writing.
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Civic Learning: Through engaging contests, Kidizenship encourages research, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of complex issues surrounding democracy, government, and social change.
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Platform for Voice: Kidizenship amplifies the voices of young people, providing a space where their opinions are valued and can be heard by a wider audience. This fosters a sense of agency and empowerment, encouraging them to be active participants in shaping their future.
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Mentorship and Recognition: Kidizenship contests often involve mentorship from prominent figures in various fields, offering valuable guidance and support to participants. Winners receive recognition for their achievements, boosting their confidence and inspiring them to pursue their passions further.
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Building Community: Kidizenship fosters a sense of community among young people passionate about civic engagement, connecting them with like-minded individuals and creating a supportive network for sharing ideas and collaborating on initiatives.
Notable Figures & Judges
Kidizenship attracts renowned figures from diverse fields to participate as judges and contributors, demonstrating their commitment to fostering a new generation of civic leaders.
Some of the prominent figures involved include:
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Musicians: Award-winning musicians such as Darius Rucker, Rhiannon Giddens, Jason Isbell, and Genesis Be have served as judges for Kidizenship’s “Sing Your Anthem” contest, sharing their expertise and inspiring young musicians to use their talents to express their civic values.
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Politicians: Figures like former US Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones, and former US Representative Will Hurd (R-TX) have contributed their time and insights to Kidizenship, recognizing the importance of engaging young people in the political process.
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Actors: Acclaimed actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been a dedicated contributor to Kidizenship, serving as a contest judge and lending her platform to promote the platform’s mission.
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Writers & Speakers: Bestselling author Alice Randall, known for her insightful social commentary and historical fiction, and prominent writer and speaker Baratunde Thurston, host of the podcast “How To Citizen,” have lent their expertise to Kidizenship, recognizing the power of storytelling and media to foster civic engagement.
These figures’ involvement in Kidizenship underscores their shared belief in the power of young people to shape the future of democracy.
The Students United News Network (SUNN)
Kidizenship’s initiatives extend beyond individual contests to include collaborative efforts like the Students United News Network (SUNN). This network brings together high school and undergraduate newspapers across the nation, promoting responsible and inspired student journalism as a form of “lived” civics education.
SUNN goes beyond simply aggregating student journalism; it also provides valuable support to young journalists. The network offers mentorship opportunities, financial support through awards for outstanding reporting, and helps amplify student voices on a national platform. By supporting SUNN, Kidizenship demonstrates its commitment to fostering the next generation of journalists and civic leaders.
How to Get Involved with Kidizenship
Kidizenship makes it easy for young people to participate in their impactful contests. If you’re between the ages of 8 and 18 and ready to make your voice heard, here’s how you can get involved:
- Visit the Kidizenship Website: Head over to the Kidizenship website to explore the current contests and discover which one sparks your interest the most.
- Read the Contest Details: Each contest has a dedicated page with detailed information on the theme, submission guidelines, rules, and deadlines.
- Prepare Your Entry: Whether it’s crafting a stunning flag design, writing a compelling essay about your hero, or composing a powerful anthem, take your time and pour your creativity and passion into your submission.
- Submit Your Entry: Follow the instructions on the contest page to submit your entry before the deadline.
Supporting Kidizenship
Kidizenship relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations who believe in the power of youth civic engagement. To sustain its vital mission and expand its reach, the platform welcomes financial contributions.
Donations to Kidizenship directly support:
- Hiring Young Talent: Funding helps Kidizenship employ talented young individuals who bring fresh perspectives and valuable skills to the platform.
- Running Contests: Donations contribute to covering the costs associated with organizing and administering the engaging contests, including prizes, outreach, and marketing.
- Expanding Reach: Financial support enables Kidizenship to reach a wider audience of young people across the nation and make a more significant impact on promoting youth civic engagement.
If you believe in Kidizenship’s mission and want to help empower the next generation of active and informed citizens, consider making a donation.
FAQ Section
- What is the age range for participating in Kidizenship contests? Young individuals between the ages of 8 and 18 are eligible to participate in Kidizenship contests.
- Is Kidizenship affiliated with any political party? Kidizenship is a non-partisan platform, meaning it is not associated with or biased towards any political party.
- How are the contest winners chosen? Each Kidizenship contest has a panel of prominent judges in relevant fields who carefully review the submissions and select the winners based on pre-determined criteria.
- What are the benefits of donating to Kidizenship? Donations directly contribute to supporting youth civic engagement by funding staff, running contests, and expanding the platform’s reach to impact more young people.
- How can I learn more about the Students United News Network (SUNN)? You can find detailed information about the Students United News Network (SUNN) on the Kidizenship website, in the dedicated SUNN section.
Conclusion
Kidizenship provides an essential platform for amplifying the voices of young people and fostering their passion for civic engagement. Through its unique and captivating contests, the platform ignites creativity, encourages critical thinking, and provides young individuals with the tools and knowledge to become active participants in shaping a brighter future for our democracy.