SF Photography Competition (Bay Area Showcase)
Sponsored by Peak Design, this annual Bay Area photography competition invites high school students in grades 9-12 to submit original photos responding to the theme 'What Does SF Mean To You?' Winners receive Peak Design photo gear, media features, and an exhibition of their work at the Peak Design flagship store in San Francisco.
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California Student Media Festival
The California Student Media Festival is a nonprofit statewide competition open to any California PreK-12 student (public, private, charter, extracurricular, or homeschool) to submit original work in Film/Video, Animation, Photography, Audio (music or podcasting), or Interactive Media, judged in a Secondary (grades 9-12) division. Finalists are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony, with 2026 entries accepted January 19-March 31 and the ceremony held in May.
YOUTH: Creative Competition for Bay Area High School Artists
Organized around the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promoted through Creative Sonoma, this annual competition invites Bay Area high school students to submit original work in essay, poetry, video, or fine art categories. Winners are recognized at a public 'Step Into the Light' exhibit and awards ceremony, with cash and prizes for best-of-show entries in each category.
Tri-Valley Writers High School Writing Contest
The California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch hosts an annual writing contest for students attending high schools in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon (East Bay, CA). Students submit up to two original pieces in poetry, nonfiction, or short story categories; branch members judge entries, and winners receive cash prizes and read their work at a public awards ceremony.
CATE Creative Writing Student Showcase
The California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) runs an annual statewide creative writing showcase inviting California students, including high schoolers, to submit poetry, short stories, or essays responding to an annual prompt. Local CATE council divisions select top entries, which are published on the CATE website; the 2026 prompt is 'Preserving Narratives, Amplifying Perspectives,' exploring AI and human voice.
Mosaic Journalism Workshop
Mosaic is a free youth journalism training program based at San Jose State University serving greater San Jose area high school and community college students. It runs an intensive two-week summer workshop covering reporting, writing, photography, videography, and podcasting, plus paid fall/spring internships and boot camps for student newspaper staff.
NorCal Stock Market Challenge (Junior Achievement)
A one-day, live stock market simulation event hosted by Junior Achievement of Northern California where high school teams build and manage investment portfolios in real time and compete against other regional teams.