Young Reporters for Environment (YRE) Competition 2026 Winners announced.

Young Reporters for the Environment Competition 

BREEF is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) National Competition. This year, BREEF received powerful submissions in the form of articles, videos and photos from students across The Bahamas tackling the theme of "Food Security and Climate Change." This theme forced students to examine the issue of food security, climate change and provide solutions as environmental stewards. 

In the 11-14 category Isabelle Glinton of Queens College triumphed with her engaging essay “Protect Our Reefs to Secure Our Food and Future”. 

2nd place 11-14 : Johnecia Smith, TA Thompson Junior High School

3rd place 11-14:  William Godet III, Hillcrest Academy

Uriel Knowles Deputy Head Girl at C.R. Walker Senior High School, earned first place in the 15-18 category for her compelling photo titled “Guardian of the Banks: The Vanishing Queen of The Bahamas” which highlights the toll of overharvesting conchs. 

2nd place 15-18: Eric Bodie, C.R. Walker Senior High School

3rd place 15-18: Kemara Lightbourne, C.R. Walker Senior High School

These winners received prizes that included iPads, GoPro cameras, underwater cameras, laptops, snorkel kits and gift certificates for Fusion Superplex. 

All winning entries and runner ups have been forwarded to the YRE International Competition, where they will compete with top entries from around the world, representing The Bahamas on the YRE global stage. Links to their submissions are shared on BREEF’s social media platforms.

In addition, CR Walker Senior High School received a mini green house and solar powered irrigation system for their Eco-School Club, having submitted the highest number of entries from a single school.

For the second year in a row, a BREEF entry has been shortlisted for the YRE International Competition. William Godet III’s long form video was shortlisted in the 11-14 category. 

BREEF serves as the National Operator for the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme (YRE), a global programme, inspiring youth to become environmental stewards and amplify their voices for change. YRE empowers students ages 11–25 to investigate environmental issues, propose solutions, and share their findings through journalism, photography, and videography. 

Special thanks to our partners and sponsors for making the 2026 YRE National Competition a success: Moore Bahamas Foundation, Primat Foundation and Fusion Superplex's Project Empower Program.