The Ducks are hosting  a journalism contest for local high school students for the second consecutive year, entitled the “Anaheim Ducks Press Box Challenge.” Students grades 9-12 are invited to submit a 500-1,000 word sample article by January 23, 2012 using one of four different topics available at AnaheimDucks.com/pressboxchallenge. Three semifinalists will be chosen, with the ultimate prize including an opportunity to serve as the official High School Correspondent on Wednesday, Feb. 8 during the Ducks vs. Hurricanes contest at Honda Center.

“We’re pleased to extend this opportunity once again to local high school students,” said Ducks Director of Fan Development Matt Savant. “Through the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. program, we reach students primarily at the elementary level, so it’s very exciting to expand our educational efforts to students at the high-school level.”

Students are invited to enter the contest online at AnaheimDucks.com/pressboxchallenge anytime until Jan. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The first 25 students who submit an article will receive two tickets to an upcoming Ducks game at Honda Center. The judging panel, comprised of Anaheim Ducks staff members, will select the top three entries. Of those three semifinalists, two runner-up articles will be selected. Each runner-up student will receive two plaza-level tickets to the Ducks contest on Feb. 8 vs. Carolina and a Ducks player-autographed hockey stick. In addition, both articles will be published on AnaheimDucks.com.

The winning student will enjoy a variety of activities on Feb. 8 vs. Carolina, including a $500 cash prize. As High School Correspondent for the night, press box access and a press credential will be granted, including an on-air interview with Ducks radio broadcaster Dan Wood. At the conclusion of the game, the student will be invited to conduct a live interview with a Ducks player outside the locker room. The student will also receive an autographed stick from that player. After the interview, the student journalist will write a feature story to be published in the March issue of Beyond the Boards, a monthly newsletter geared toward youth that includes features on Ducks players, details of the game, community events, ticket offers and much more. Two plaza-level seats will also be awarded for the Feb. 8 game for family/friends to attend.

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