Young writer Corey Outerbridge and The Royal Gazette's Young Observer section have been honoured in a top US newspaper competition.

Mr. Outerbridge, a student at Clearwater Middle School, received an honourable mention in the "First Person feature section of the Newspaper Association of America Foundation's Youth Content Contest.

His story, "Gardening is uplifting", appeared in Young Observer on October 22 and described the triumphs and travails of square foot gardening.

"Despite economic challenges facing newspapers, I am encouraged that many publishers continue to invest in Newspapers in Education (NIE) and youth content programmes that engage our medium's future audience," said Margaret Vassilikos, senior vice president and treasurer of the NAA Foundation. "This year's award winners have demonstrated the ability to captivate young readers, as well a strong commitment to driving newspaper readership both inside and outside the classroom."

Royal Gazette Editor Bill Zuill said: "Congratulations to Corey for a heartfelt story that clearly caught the judges imagination. As a newspaper, we think it's a vital part of our role to encourage young writers and to show that our young people are going great things.

"I also want to congratulate our NIE coordinator Jennifer Hind who works extraordinarily hard to bring our newspaper to the schools and to encourage young people to write and report on their lives and the things that affect them."