Domestic and Sexual Violence
Grade 5

Child Abuse and Neglect

Over a two to four-month span in 2022, more than 1,900 children died, but I am not talking about a country at war. I am speaking of the staggering number of deaths suffered by children who had been abused. Child abuse can take many forms, from physical to mental to neglect or the absence of […]

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Mental Health
Grade 7

Improving Student Mental Health

What if someone told you that your child was suffering from a mental health disorder? How would it feel knowing that children and teens are suffering every day simply because they did not have proper emotional support? A mental health crisis is impacting millions of young people today, such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders. […]

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Government
Grade 5

Supporting the Mental Health of Homeless Youth

“I’m hungry, I’m cold, and I have nowhere to rest my head comfortably before school,” said any homeless kid in our nation’s capital. Unfortunately, kids in the United States aren’t going to receive a quality education. Instead, they cannot focus on school because they are thinking about their next home or meal. Because students can’t […]

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Bullying
Grade 7

Stop Anti-Queer Bullying

Meet me! A twelve-year-old “They/Them?” or something like that, in the 7th grade. You know nothing about me, but would you want me to be bullied? No, you wouldn’t. So why should queer youth get bullied just because they’re different from you? I don’t wish for me and other queer youth to walk into school […]

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Justice System
Grade 6

Police Brutality

Imagine all you want to do is go home, and the police stop you. Next thing you know, you’re the next victim of police brutality. Police brutality is a problem all over the world. Recently, a person with autism was a victim of police brutality that ended with death. Police brutality creates issues because it […]

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Bullying
Grade 8

Building Inclusive Environments to Combat Audism

A deaf woman named Barbara told the following story: “During conversations at work, my colleagues who know sign language communicate with each other using their voice, even when I am there.” She says that when she asks what they were walking about, “They often say, ‘I will tell you later.’ Then, I always get very […]

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Government
Grade 8

Pedestrian Safety

Have you ever felt unsafe while walking or biking? In DC, drivers are constantly running red lights, blocking crosswalks, speeding, and being distracted by their phones, exposing pedestrians and cyclists to danger. Many people are getting injured and dying because the government has failed to implement measures to stop it. The government needs to invest […]

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Education
Grade 5

More School Counselors! Less Student Stress!

Imagine yourself as a student a week before exams. You have a test to study for, essays to complete, and a house to clean. Your hands are shaking. You start to get tired and forget things. The effect of stress on students is a pertinent issue that can affect our youth’s mental and physical health. […]

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Education
Grade 10

The School-To-Prison-Pipeline

The school-to-prison pipeline refers to the policies and practices that perpetuate the unjust criminalization of students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Harsh disciplinary policies, zero-tolerance approaches, and the over-policing of schools fuel this pipeline. Teachers need to step up, as they play a crucial role in creating a fair and inclusive learning environment where all […]

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Education
Grade 11

Effects of Parental Pressure on Students

In the relentless pursuit of perfection and parental approval, many students find themselves entangled in a web of parental pressure. In this essay, we will further explore the harm parental pressure can do to a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Parental pressure is very common around the world. It involves the expectations, guidance, and sometimes […]

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Gun Control
Grade 10

End Gun Violence Now

Did you know that in Washington, DC, just this year, over 200 people have passed away due to gun violence? The problem with gun violence has been going on for far too long, and I believe that we, as the families of victims and as people, should come together and put a stop to gun […]

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Justice System
Grade 6

Mass Incarceration

About five years ago, my favorite person was taken away from me. When I was seven years old, my father went to jail. I felt like the world was over. In the beginning, it was always, “He’s at work.” I remember when my mother first informed me where he actually was. I was devastated. I […]

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