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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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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Education
Grade 10

Fear of Falling Short in an Immigrant Household

Aarthi Muthukumar once wrote, “No matter how hard I work, the pressure of being successful by my parents’ standards is never going to disappear.” Aarthi Muthukumar is just one example of a kid who is afraid of letting her immigrant parents down. During Muthukumar’s high school life, she developed stress, anxiety, and panic attacks because […]

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LGBTQ Rights
Grade 10

Stop the LGBTQ+ Bullying at School

According to StopBullying.gov, “more LGBTQ+ students (14%) than straight students (7%) reported not going to school because of safety concerns.” One of my closest friends in middle school told me about their experience when it came to bullying. They shared how it affected their mental health and how they had to resort to telling me […]

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Government
Grade 10

The Fight for DC Statehood

You know those nightmares when you wake up and can’t speak? Or when you’re running from a clown and can’t scream? These dreams are terrible, and you wake up and have never been so happy to hear your own voice. This is a nightmare that DC has been living in since its birth. Washington, DC, […]

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Education
Grade 10

Student Debt and Scholarships

Raise your hand if you have $40,000 to spare. College tuition is very expensive and is going to keep getting higher. Growing up, I have seen my mom working hard because she had to pay off her student loans since she didn’t get much money in scholarships. To alleviate the cost of tuition, the Federal […]

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Food and Nutrition
Grade 10

The Cut to SNAP Benefits: A Post-Pandemic Predicament

Food enriches cultures, brings people together, and, most importantly, gives us the strength to live, but what happens when food is financially unattainable? Each day, someone is struggling to make ends meet and goes hungry. Sometimes, programs and organizations provide financial support, but it is scarcely enough to buy anything. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—also […]

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Justice System
Grade 10

Rehabilitation for Criminals

Did you know that 4.9 million people are put into prison each year, and that one out of four of those people is arrested again that same year? I believe that rehabilitation is more ethical than incarceration because it helps inmates to better themselves so that they will not have the negative mindset to commit […]

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Education
Grade 10

Racism in Schools

Cultural racism is discrimination against minority groups that creates challenges. Students of color have been affected by cultural racism by not having access to higher education and experiencing higher chances of exclusionary discipline. Therefore, teachers and administrators should hire a variety of teachers from diverse backgrounds, apply anti-racism practices to make students of color more […]

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Immigration
Grade 10

Immigration: The Citizenship Process

The term “undocumented immigrant” refers to anyone residing in any given country without legal documentation. Do you have any friends who are undocumented, or know of anyone that is? Growing up as a first-generation American, many adults I know are undocumented. They are among the other 11 million people living in the US hoping to […]

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