After weeks of submissions, judging, and reviewing the incredible work shared with us, the results of the Next Wave Summer Showcase are officially here! This year’s showcase brought together young artists, writers, innovators, and creators who shared their ideas, talents, and unique perspectives with Next Wave. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to submit and put their work out into the world. Today, we’re excited to recognize the creators from this year’

By: Xander Soetomo A lot of us have tried to buy concert tickets and felt the shock. You click, the page loads, and the cheapest seat is suddenly $200. For a popular artist, it's $500, $1,000, or more. Fans are furious. Artists say they're not the problem. And ticket companies say they're just following the market. But why are concert tickets so expensive now? The answer is that concert tickets are expensive because artists rely on touring for income, demand is sky-high, venu

Teen Gazette is a teen-run literary magazine dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people ages 13-19 through writing and art. Created to give teens a space where their creativity is seen, appreciated, and taken seriously, the magazine is entirely youth-led from reviewing submissions and editing pieces to designing layouts and managing social media. Both Next Wave and Teen Gazette share the same mission to celebrate creativity, foster connection, and build a global commu

Tereko Portis Jr. a is fourteen-year-old multidisciplinary creator from Texas whose work centers on telling authentic stories about young people and the challenges they face. As an actor, musician, and model, he is passionate about creating projects that inspire others while continuing to grow in his own craft. He is currently developing a short film focused on a group of teens navigating personal struggles, and he also writes and produces original music, including his s

The Next Wave Summer Showcase is an online youth creative competition and digital exhibition created to celebrate teen artists, writers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators across the East Coast. Through submissions, features, and awards, the showcase aims to highlight the ideas, creativity, and voices of the next generation while giving students a platform to be recognized beyond the classroom and their local communities. Selected creators will be featured through t

Jayden, (also know as "J3") is a 15-year-old filmmaker with a passion for storytelling. He takes on every part of the creative process: filming, directing, operating the camera, editing, and screenwriting. His journey began at just 8 years old, using a school Chromebook and its built-in camera to create his first films. Since then, he has grown his skills and now works with professional cameras, with aspirations to continue advancing and eventually film with even larger, more

Through bleary eyes the house watches, a careful eye darting between its three levels and gently monitoring the front lawns of the house. It watches as the night sky begins to pale, a calm blue taking over as the moon fades from view, the blazing sun blotted at the edges, merging into the pale blue of the sky. Birds chirped from the trees surrounding the house, a late wake-up call as the house began to bustle with noise. The first inhabitant slinks down the stairs, rubbing a

Next Wave is growing, and with that growth comes new energy, new ideas, and new people helping shape what this platform becomes. Now, we’re excited to introduce the very first Creative & Media Marketing Team, a group of talented, motivated teens who are already helping bring the wave to life. Say hello to Cynthia, a senior and Briana, a sophomore—the newest members of our team! Even though they’ve just joined, they’ve already become an essential part of our workflow. From bra

We’re excited to officially open applications for the Creative & Media Marketing Team, a new opportunity for high school students to gain...