Doing time
Where I’m from
The naked truth
Quotes from respected journalists congratulating L.A. Youth

Print This Post


The 1988 L.A. Youth staff.


It all began 20 years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down student press rights, giving school officials broad powers to censor student newspapers. That afternoon in 1988, L.A. Youth was created to give an uncensored voice to Los Angeles teens. What began at a kitchen table and 2,500 copies has grown into a newspaper with a readership of 500,000 delivered to 1,300 teachers who share the paper with their students.

To celebrate our anniversary, we read through our archives going back to the first issue to select stories that represent our best

writing, and which still have the power to connect with teens today. You can read some of these stories in our special anniversary section. We’re celebrating

The 2008 L.A. Youth staff.


our anniversary all year, so look for more “Best Of” stories in every issue of 2008.

Also, we look back at stories we’ve published about the struggles teens face, from depression to eating disorders to dealing with the death of a loved one.

And we are also proud to be publishing quotes from respected journalists who support what we do.

L.A. Youth has done a lot of great work during the past 20 years, and we’re proud to be celebrating our anniversary with you.

—L.A. Youth staff

DOING TIME
Peter, 17, describes his fear and regret as he sits locked up in juvenile hall waiting to be sentenced to state prison. Reprinted from 2002
WHERE I’M FROM
Guianna, 16, says L.A. is the easy answer but there’s more to it than that. Reprinted from 2003
THE NAKED TRUTH
Volleyball, talking about the weather and putting sunscreen in unusual places, Kel, 19, describes his visit to a nudist colony. Reprinted from 1998
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
A look back at the stories L.A. Youth has published about the serious side of teen life.

Click here to read quotes from respected journalists congratulating L.A. Youth on its work.