What if the rebel had a cause?

Teens have issues—not the kind you’re probably thinking about, parents, but the social variety. Not that your generation didn’t have its causes, but let’s face it, teens today have bigger megaphones: Facebook, YouTube and the app that was invented two minutes ago.

Well, count The Mash among those outlets of expression.

The Mash, the Chicago Tribune’s free weekly newspaper, website and high school journalism program, is the voice of teen Chicago. It’s a publication written by teens, for teens, about the issues that matter to young people.

We cover serious topics, such as cheating and budget cuts, to light-hearted stories, such as retro fashion and celebrity interviews (we could drop names like Kelly Osbourne, NBA draft pick Anthony Davis and Josh Hutcherson, but that would be bragging). We also highlight extraordinary teens from your community.

Why are you only seeing us now packaged with the Chicago Tribune? Maybe that’s because we publish The Mash in the Sunday Tribune once a year. But it’s our chance to show you what we’re about before the school year kicks off. Normally, you’ll find us every Thursday in all CPS high schools, many suburban and private schools, and some teen centers. Look for us in hallways, libraries and cafeterias.

Oh, and did we mention The Mash is free to all schools interested in participating? Not only that, but we pay the 85 student journalists who participate in our program.

To top it off, we like to give out freebies! We’ve given away tickets to concerts, festivals, baseball games, advanced movie screenings and more.

Want to know more? Keep coming back to themash.com, like The Mash on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@mashchicago) and Instagram (mashchicago). Feel free to email us at themash@tribune.com with questions, comments or info on how to get yourself or your school involved.

Happy reading!

—The Mash

Below is a handy guide to all the stories in our back-to-school issue that appear online, by section. Whether you’re new to The Mash or an old friend, click around the website to get to know us or see what we’ve been up to. We’re sure you’ll find something you like!

• COVER STORY

From glee club to fan club: What were some of your favorite Chicago personalities like when they were in high school?

• SOUND OFF/TEEN OPINIONS
  

Can you be friends with a freshman?

• SHINE

Cool high school clubs for quirky hobbyists

Barry Manilow instrumental in getting musical donations for Chicago Public Schools

Spice up your lunch with a DIY sandwich roll recipe

• COLLEGE & CAREER

Are you ready? Here’s a guide to things you should consider for your college application and scholarship checklists

10 things to consider in the dorm vs. commute debate for students who will attend college close to home

• FYI

Stock your backpack with the best back-to-school gadgets for the 2012-13 school year

Get outta my Facebook! 10 reasons you say you don’t want to be friends with you parents on Facebook

• GAMEDAY

Q&A with Chicago Bears rookie Shea McClellin

• BUZZ

YA author John Green connects with his fans to do good

First-class cinema: 4 flicks to get you pumped for school

Say what? Dont get caught being out of the loop with old slang