YMG's annual report is here!

By Jayne O'Donnell

June 16, 2026

Youthcast Media Group®

You don’t have to be a news junkie to know that journalism has had a rough year. I still strongly encourage motivated students to pursue the tough but incredibly rewarding career I’ve loved since the ‘80s.

I tell students that journalism isn’t for everyone, but the skills will serve almost anyone. YMG students acquire multimedia skills that include Canva graphics and social media video editing. Our students’ critical thinking develops throughout the print journalism process, from deciding what questions to ask in interviews to writing and editing articles to emphasize what’s most important and interesting.

Jayne O’Donnell with students from Bard High School Early DC‘s journalism class. YMG partnered with The Washington Blade to work in the classroom this year through a grant from the DC Mayor’s Office. Blade reporter Michael Lavers (second from left in rear) visited the classroom in the winter.

College DC ‘s journalism class. YMG partnered with The

Washington Blade to work in the classroom this year through a

grant from the DC Mayor’s Office. Blade reporter Michael Lavers

(second from left in rear) visited the classroom in the winter.

I challenge you to find me a professional career that wouldn’t benefit from the former and doesn’t require the latter. Add the career connections they make and you have a recipe for career advancement.

Teens from under-resourced communities benefit from access to these skills and professional networks as they prepare for today’s economy and navigate an increasingly polarized society. We pay them for completing our training and producing publishable content — expanding opportunities, amplifying their perspectives and demonstrating to families the value of this kind of career preparation.

We have many more students pursuing careers outside journalism than in it. That’s just fine with me — for now, they’re becoming trusted community voices in the media. That will serve them whether they aspire to become a neurosurgeon, like Afghan immigrant and Wakefield High School student Rosana Wahdat, or a photojournalist and art gallery manager, which is Bard High School Early College DC senior Derrick Deal Jr. ’s dream.

Rosana was published this year by WTOP and Derrick’s photos and reporting were in Greater Greater Washington.

Read on to learn more about their work and that of the 90 other YMG students we worked with in 2025, many of them repeat participants. We hope you’ll be inspired by their achievements and continue to support them on their journeys, maybe even as interns or job candidates.

Sincerely,

Jayne O’Donnell

Founder and Chief Executive