Tattoo (newspaper)

The Tattoo Teen Newspaper was an online, teen-written newspaper based in Connecticut. The paper, which published work produced by the nonprofit Youth Journalism International, was founded in 1994 by Jackie and Steve Majerus-Collins, then writers for The Bristol Press. The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding said, "The Tattoo has grown into a widely respected online teen newspaper with writers from around the world. The site is filled with articles on every topic of interest to teenagers. A great window into the adolescent world and worldview." The Hartford Courant declared that "if you want to see into the minds of today's bright and funny young thinkers, spend some time with this Bristol-based publication. You can get a teen's -eye view of world politics, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, local events and sex." Samantha Perez, a writer for The Tattoo, has received awards for her Hurricane Katrina journals in 2005 and 2006. Its writers have also won 7 first-place awards from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists since 1998; 34 National Gold Key awards from the National Newspaper Association and the Quill and Scroll Society since 1997; 55 Scholastic Press Forum awards since 1999; and the Suburban Newspapers Association's award for Best Young People's Coverage in both 2002 and 2005, as well as its feature writing award in 2007; along with a Distinguished Service Award from the Connecticut Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention in 1997.