Charlotte Gesell, Student
What Family Means to Me
All families come in different shapes and sizes, ever changing and unique.
But why should we limit our family to a single unit of people?
Aarya Vannavada, Student
Choose The People That Choose You
When life gets burdensome and you feel so very hopeless, it’s so crucial to hold on to the people who are good to you.
Srikha Manubolu, Rock Ridge High School
Remember: You Are Loved, You Belong, and You Matter – A Message of Hope for Teens Facing Tough Times
In case no one has told you today: You are loved. You belong. You matter. You are stronger than you realize, and you will get through this.
Rana Mahmoud, John Champe High School
Finding Light in the Darkness: How Small Acts of Resilience Can Guide You Through Tough Times
When the weight of the world feels too heavy, small actions seem like monumental feats. Those quiet victories are whispers of resilience.
James Bowles, Rock Ridge High School
Out of the Kindness Of Someone Else’s Heart
I wasn’t expecting much of it; the people I expected were there. What started as a small little get together turned into an actual ceremony.
Shubhay Mishra, Sophomore, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Snow
In the depths of darkest night, When all hope seems out of sight, When the pain is real and true, And the tears fall like the morning...
Shubhay Mishra, Sophomore, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Go!
My heart once filled with doubts and shame, Didn't know the joy of life's refrain; It seemed I couldn't win, not even in a game, But I...
Shubhay Mishra, Sophomore, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Don't Give Up
Our lives can be hard, and sometimes pain is all we feel But you must remember, life is more than what it seems We may feel like giving...
Shubhay Mishra, Sophomore, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Ode to Self-Acceptance
Ode to Self-Acceptance
Shubhay Mishra, Sophomore, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Myself
I accept who I am In all of my flaws, My imperfections, My mistakes. I accept the person I'm becoming Slowly, each day, I am learning To...
Advitiya Srinivasan, Junior, Briar Woods High School
My Childhood
I remember when I was truly carefree Every white fluffy dandelion I blew My parents used to take care of everything for me And I never...
Charlotte, 10th Grader at Loudoun School for Advanced Studies
Volunteering Creates Gratitude and Appreciation
Gratitude. When a lot of us hear that word, we think of people and things we are grateful for. We show gratitude by thanking our parents...
Charlotte, 10th Grader at Loudoun School for Advanced Studies
Breaking the Stigma Through Compassion and Acceptance
In today's world where judgment and insecurity dominate, it feels embarrassing to ask for help. In our day-to-day life, we fear judgment;...
17 Year Old High School Student
The Shadow of a Wrongful Love
I write this for my queer friends, classmates, acquaintances, strangers I've passed on the street Who feel like they're never seen, never...
Rohitha, Junior
Inclusion
My story is based on something I've observed this year. Although it isn't a problem that's widely spread, it still happens now and then...
Anonymous, John Champe High School
Okay Alone
Feeling different could be a pleasant or horrible experience. Personally, it was a pleasant time for me, a lot of people always associate...
Sarasi Rout, Age 15, John Champe HS and AOS
Create a Gratitude Journal
How to Create a Gratitude Journal Do you feel like you’re going downhill? Is there really nothing going good in your life right now? Try...
Syeda Fizza Fatima, 15, Heritage High School
Never Give Up
You are pathetic, Disgusting, Ugly, Worthless. These are only some of the comments teenagers all around the globe must face every day....
Anonymous, 18, Woodgrove High School
The Push
Sometimes you just need a little something to push you over the edge, something to make you realize that you’ve been ignoring the...
Erik Smetana, 20, George Mason University
Ryan: Jan 16, 1997 - Oct 15, 2014
I don’t remember under what circumstances I first met Ryan. I believe it was when my family first moved to Waterford in the early 2000’s...
