Educator Newsletter: Now accepting Student Journalism Scholarship applications

Some good news for educators and their students this week:

Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s 2026 Student Journalism Scholarship Challenge is now live! This challenge invites Lane County high school students to shine a light on an “unsung hero” in their community—someone whose everyday efforts make a meaningful difference, often without the recognition they deserve.

The top 10 stories will be published on Lookout Eugene-Springfield, and the top three student journalists will each receive a $500 scholarship to support their education. Along the way, students gain real-world experience in interviewing, reporting, and storytelling while engaging with their local community. 

Please share this opportunity with your students and encourage them to apply! The deadline to submit a story is the end of the day on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with full application requirements available on our website.

We’re also excited to share that, thanks to increased support from Lookout’s generous community partners, Lookout in the Classroom is expanding its reach. We’re now able to offer 510 Lookout memberships to Lane County high school teachers, giving them access to trusted local journalism and classroom-ready resources (in addition to free memberships already available to all Lane County high school and college students).

And in national civics news, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce invites 6th, 7th and 8th grade applicants to apply for the National Civics Bee, a free competition that encourages students to use civics to make a difference in their communities. Middle school students can apply here by submitting a short essay by February 3, with top winners eligible for major prizes and national recognition.

Now, onto this week’s selection of local news updates.

JUMP TO: Free student memberships / Student stories / Educator resources

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There are still free Lookout memberships available through our Lookout for Teachers program! Sign up here.

Featured Story of the Week

Classroom Discussion Questions:

• What role did CAHOOTS previously play in Eugene’s emergency response system, and what gap was created when the program stopped operating in the city?
• How does a “peer navigation model” differ from traditional police, fire, or medical responses to crisis situations?
• Why might the city prioritize responders with lived experience when working with people experiencing homelessness or behavioral health crises?

Latest from the Lookout Newsroom

Here’s a roundup of recent articles you could use in your classroom. Use our Current Event Discussion Guide for an easy way to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.

Latest Education & Statewide News

Lilly St. Angelo is Lookout’s dedicated education correspondent. Find more education coverage from her and our partners here. Do you have a story idea for Lilly? Contact her here.

Educator Resources

• Download the Lookout Media Literacy Guide
• Download the Current Event Discussion Guide & Discussion Questions
• Browse our curated list of Additional Resources
• Featured resource of the week: News Literacy Project
  • The News Literacy Project offers a range of valuable resources for educators, including an online learning platform, a free weekly newsletter, professional development opportunities, classroom materials, and more.

Your students can set up their free high school student memberships here.

Please share this week’s Educator Newsletter with other teachers in your circle to help spread the word about these free resources, and the student opportunities they unlock.

Thank you for reading,

Olivia Desgrange

Community & Student Engagement Manager