Applications for 25-26 school year open November 1st 2025 and run through February 16, 2026. Submit your application by filling out this google form. To read published student stories scroll down or click here.
Showcase your writing skills and uncover the unsung heroes in your community. Apply this Fall and take the first step towards a scholarship and a brighter future!
We are proud to offer Lookout’s journalism challenge for high school students in Santa Cruz County. Inspired by our popular “Unsung Santa Cruz” series, this challenge invites students to write a profile of a local unsung hero who is making a positive difference in the community.
Our editing team will read and review all entries. The top 10 stories will be published on Lookout and the authors of the top three stories will each receive a $500 scholarship for an educational purchase. This could be money towards a computer, text books, an online course, software, college applications, college visits, etc and you must share what you would plan to spend the money on in your application.
Eligibility requirements: All high school students in Santa Cruz County are invited to apply.
Entry requirements:
- Your story should be a profile of someone who is not well known but is making a positive difference in the community.
- You must complete at least 1 interview, preferably 2; One with the person highlighted and one with a person who talks about them.
- Your story should be 500-900 words, including at least two quotes that you got from your interviews
- You must include two supporting photos, at least one being horizontal.
How to Apply: After writing your story with the requirements above, simply fill out our google form with your information, including grade level and school, and submit your story. We will start accepting applications November 1st 2025.
Deadline: February 16, 2026
UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and Santa Cruz County high school students get FREE access to Lookout Santa Cruz.
- UC Santa Cruz students: Sign up here, enter your .edu email address to complete your registration.
- Cabrillo College students: Sign up here.
- Santa Cruz County High School students: Sign up here.
