Get Involved

How to join ThreeSixty’s team

We find reporters are most successful and enjoy reporting more if they participate in our three-month orientation class at either the Minneapolis Star Tribune or Pioneer Press, or attend one of our summer camps. For more information about those opportunities, contact Annie Nelson, youth publications editor, at annie.nelson@stthomas.edu or (651) 962-5269.

But you don’t have to go through a class or camp. We are ecstatic when a new writer, photographer, videographer, or any other type of creator, reaches out to us. Contact Annie for any information on how to get involved with ThreeSixty.

Become a reader

Our reporters are reporting for teens. We would love for you to read their work and comment on their stories. Not only does this help our reporters, but it also fuels discussion about teen life in Minnesota. You can also participate in discussions about stories and other topics in ThreeSixty’s Discussion Board.

Suggest a story idea

ThreeSixty’s goal is to write about the things teens have to deal with these days. But we need your help in order to do that well. If there is something happening that you think is newsworthy, an injustice, a really interesting example of modern teen life, or are just curious about something you’d like one of our reporters to check out, please fill out this form or contact Youth Publications Editor Annie Nelson at annie.nelson@stthomas.edu or (651) 962-5269.

Submit an essay

ThreeSixty runs an essay contest, Your Turn. We award three prizes each contest — $50 for first place, $30 for second place and $20 for third place. We pose a different question about teen life each contest. We prefer writers to use stories of things that have happened to them rather than just offering up an opinion. Tell us what you think, but then also tell us why.

Check out these past winners for a guide on what wins!

• Working with what you’ve got by Gao Vang of Washburn High School

  Working at her family’s vegetable plot in summers was hot, hard work but also taught Gao that Frederick Douglass got it right when he said people might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.

  Gao won our contest that asked teens to write about what life lessons you learn from having a job.

• The boy who didn’t know his own name by Molly Hensley-Clancy of South High School

  Molly met Jamal when she volunteered with Head Start’s BOOST Literacy program. He was 5 years old and didn’t know his name. But he did know how to curse her when she asked his name. Jamal didn’t know what word went with the chair pictured on a flash card. But when Molly showed him a picture of a belt – which another boy Juan thought was a snake – Jamal started crying.

  Molly’s essay about Jamal answered a Your Turn contest question about what teens think causes the achievement gap between white students and others in schools.

Volunteer or donate

If you are interested in volunteering or donating with ThreeSixty, please check out our For Supporters page.