Journalistic Pieces

By: Amelia Torry Introduction In an age that is dominated by the media, it is easy for people to get swept away with the everlasting wave of trends. Some last days, others years. While not all bad, some trends have carried negative effects with them and plagued the mind of the communities, especially younger audiences. Whether a trend is harmless, and focused on a new drink or collectible; or outright bullying or humiliating, people will be bound to follow. But how are these

By: Amelia Torry Introduction Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, 1984. Just three examples of outstanding novels that have stood against the test of time and have been regarded as some of the best works of literature. Read for school, entertainment, and information on past society, modern audiences have regarded these books in one common category: Classics. Classic novels are classified by their timeless subjects, interesting characters, and relevant messages; people toda

By: Audrey Lin Introduction: As more occupations and interests capture our minds, the world is constantly evolving and in need of new tasks. Oftentimes, such tasks are found in the workforce, which contributes to the amount of stress one may feel while working. Through data reports and interviews from those in the workforce, actively doing a mindfulness exercise every day, like walking or performing yoga, has reduced the effect of stress by easing the brain’s activity and m

By: Amelia Torry Introduction The news is a necessity for all, and accessibility to this information has the possibility to shape the minds of many people. However, does a lack or excess of news exposure have an impact? Does this lead to one being more apathetic to current events or will they try to make a difference in their world.? The Way We Feel Though people are naturally influenced by their surroundings, changes in beliefs are not instant. The media can infiltrate

By: Nirav Sachan Introduction: The Face Behind the Mask Every culture crafts masks—not only physical ones but conceptual veils that shape identity, morality, and power. In the Ramayana, the figure of Shurpanakha is veiled with a mask of monstrosity, a narrative device that enforces gender norms while hiding the radical potential of her desire. To understand this, we must interrogate the mask as a patriarchal script, a cultural technology that disciplines female agency through

By: A.K. It’s quite crazy how countries like Singapore and Japan feel as though they’re living in the year 2025, while Indonesia still seems to be stuck in 1998. The recent killing of Affan Kurniawan – a 21-year-old online delivery driver run over by an armoured police car during a civilian protest– shows just how far Indonesia’s democracy has regressed toward the darkest chapters of its past. Less than two weeks after Independence Day, the nation should be celebrating its 80

By: Amelia Torry Introduction Most people can agree that in the past few years, the world has been a boiling pot of tension and conflict. Many people cannot share opinions without getting brutally attacked online, and younger populations are starting to realize what is happening around this issue. Whether you’re scrolling on a social media app or going through your friend’s online story, you may have seen more people spreading awareness about the state of the world. It may

By: Mahfuza Maisa Abstract: In recent years, technological advancements have significantly transformed communication for the deaf community, fostering greater inclusion and social interaction. This paper examines the various tools and innovations that have emerged, such as video relay services, instant messaging, and mobile applications designed for real-time communication. By analyzing the effectiveness of these technologies, the paper highlights how they facilit

By: Ella George The media plays a significant role in influencing public relations, both positive and negative. It has the power to both push people together through understanding as well as pull them apart. Through the media, inspiration spreads rapidly and it takes effective communication to maintain a positive image, which is something that both regular people and governments desire to maintain. This rapid spread can have both positive and negative effects, one example be

By: Grace Molina To most teens, seeing themselves reflected in the stories they read and the shows they watch is vital to a positive sense of self. But for young people who belong to marginalized groups, representation is usually slim or shallow. As a mixed child with Filipino and Dominican heritage, I grew up with this absence face-to-face. Both the Dominican Republic and the Philippines are countries and islands rich in culture, history, and community bonds. Behind stories

By Grace Molina Understanding the justice system can seem overwhelming, especially if courtroom terminology and protocol are unfamiliar. But working knowledge can enable young people to work or fight against the system and advocate for reforms. The following are ten essential justice system words that all young people should know, along with real-life scenarios of how they operate in practice. 1. Incarceration: Locked up as punishment for a crime. Incarceration is being impri

By: Grace Molina Youth from around the world are breaking into the mainstream and demanding change. They are organizing marches, sit-ins, social media campaigns, and neighborhood protests that are reshaping the conversation around climate, education, human rights, and justice. While some youth movements get headlines, many others operate just outside the mainstream spotlight, making a difference that should be more widely known. 1. Polluters Out - Global Environmental Justice

By: Grace Molina Young voices are more important to justice reform than most people realize. We are the faces of the future generations, future workforce, future voters, and even future government leaders. When youth have a prominent spot at the table, they bring in perspectives and life experiences that help confront assumptions and spark creative solutions. But, how could you begin to start making a difference? The answer is simpler than you think. By becoming involved in a

By: Grace Molina In 1963, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American school children marched out of school and into history. Dodging police dogs and fire hoses, they took to the streets to protest segregation in a movement that would be known as the Children's Crusade. Dozens of people were arrested, beaten, or even killed. But their pictures of resistance shocked the world and helped galvanize support for the Civil Rights

By: Grace Molina Days after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, a group of local artists painted a massive street mural along Canfield Drive. The yellow letters spelled "Black Lives Matter" so large they could be seen from the air. It was expression, strategy, and solidarity. Art has been an essential, however overlooked, part of justice movements throughout history. It renders intellectual concepts into emotional ones. It speaks wh

By: Grace Molina Each day in America, over 36,000 kids are locked up, many for nonviolent offenses. Most of these kids are black, minority, and of lower-class. For young people, involvement with the juvenile justice system can have serious and lasting effects on their lives and futures. Decades after civil rights victories, Black youth are still five times more likely to be jailed than white youth. If a wealthy kid is caught with weed, they get rehab. If a poor kid is caught,

By: Grace Molina Boycotting class, creating protest art, or starting a community collective, teens everywhere are standing up in bold and diverse forms. While many teens in America are still figuring out how to productively be involved in activism on and off campus, their global peers are already showing the world what young people are capable of when they get in charge. From European climate protests to performance demonstrations in Latin America, these movements are creatin

By: McKenna Smith Human Rights: The Fight for Equality The topic of today revolves around the human race–our rights, our happiness, and our chances at success. We all have different views on the world, which is entirely normal and healthy. However, one thing we should all agree on is human rights. No matter who you are or what you believe in, we should all recognize the importance of equal rights. What Equality Should Mean You don't have to live your life supporting everyone,

By: Amelia Torry Introduction Across the United States, performing arts such as music, art, and dance are typically not well–funded. In comparison to other industries, the performing arts are the least funded of the rest. Many questions may arise from this information: why does this happen, and is it fair? Are the performing arts becoming less respected than they were in previous years? More importantly, how will this affect young audiences who may have wanted to participat