1. “Becoming Greta: ‘Invisible Girl’ to Global Climate Activist, With Bumps Along the Way”
Someone our age being such an activist for something so important is changing the world … It made me wonder if we had more activists who are children would more children try to change their ways?
— Sierra McKinley, J.R Masterman
2. “Why Giving Up Is Sometimes the Best Way to Solve a Problem”
I chose to write about it because it really resonates with me and a lot of other students. Sometimes I get so overloaded with work and I get so stressed, that I have to take a break and come back to it later, or truthfully, never.
— Molly Flaxman, Masterman School Philadelphia
3. “Never Solved, a College Dorm Fire Has Become One Man’s Obsession”
I thought it was interesting how a man dedicated his career to finding justice, and creating an occupation of one’s own the freedom and justice and that is why it represents the american dream.
— Camryn Glendon, The Governor’s Academy
4. “Birds Beware: The Praying Mantis Wants Your Brain”
I was shocked, disturbed, and interested all at the same time. I thought Praying Mantises only ate small insects like bees and stuff, but birds? Really? It’s kind of scary, to be honest.
— Anna Praticò, Julia R. Masterman, Philadelphia
5. “Are Straight A’s Always a Good Thing?”
I have been really stressed out about my grades this year, and I still would like to have straight A’s, but sometimes, school is not worth every single moment of your life.
— Sienna Shelton, Masterman, Philadephia
6. “Aeroflot Plane Makes Fiery Emergency Landing in Russia, Killing 41”
The reason I chose to read about the horrible tragedy was that I heard nothing about it here in the United States. I strongly believe that teenagers at my age should be learning about what is going on across the world not just what is happening in the U.S.
— Shane O’Leary, Byfield, MA
7. “I Will Not Stay Silent. Our Leaders Are Failing Human Rights.”
The video opened my eyes to what was going on in the rest of the world- children being tortured, and human rights being snatched away. I’ve always focused on the local issues but this video showed me an eye opening, horrifying future.
— Kristina Kitsul, Masterman Philadelphia
8. “2019 Met Gala, Photos and Updates With Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian West”
As ridiculous as it the outfits may be, you have to give points for massive creativity. It’s not everyday someone walks around dressed as a chandelier with no questions asked.
— Sarah Wong, Julia R Masterman, Philadelphia
9. “On Being an Outsider”
Almost everyone has been excluded at some point, definitely some people more than others. It sucks when you feel like the odd one out, and like you’re just tagging along in the back with the group.
— Kate Chin, Masterman, Philadelphia, PA
10. “Sandra Bland, It Turns Out, Filmed Traffic Stop Confrontation Herself”
The article about Sandra Bland really stood out to me because it shows the racism, and brutality black people face everyday, and it talks about how corrupt the justice system is for black people.
— Ahsaan M., Masterman, Philadelphia, PA
11. “What Happens When Abortion Is Banned?”
Kids my age need to know about his because I it something we could potentially change and help. I know I didn’t know any of this existed and I bet other kids don’t know either, plus everyone is talking about how our generation is going to change the world but how are we going to do that if we don’t know all the facts on one of the most controversial subjects?
— Mariska, Masterman school, Philly
12. “Teenagers Say Depression and Anxiety Are Major Issues Among Their Peers”
This article stood out to me because a lot of my friends have a mental illness … It makes me disappointed that teens aren’t well informed about mental health issues when it is so prevalent. Schools usually don’t touch on that topic, but I think they really should start to.
— Ami S, Masterman, Philadelphia
13. “The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories”
Personally, I always love reading reviews by the Wirecutter, a subdivision of the New York Times that picks their favorite of a certain type of item and reviews why it is the best. As a major tech geek, I always am looking to save money but also get the best deal.
— Nicolas Dorazio, J.R. Masterman School, Philadelphia PA
14. “Humans Are Speeding Extinction and Altering the Natural World at an ‘Unprecedented’ Pace”
I found it riveting, in a terrible way, how the devastation to Earth has become so bad that regular conservation efforts will no longer be enough to save Earth and that all nations now need to contribute in conserving our planet if life on Earth has any chance.
— Amalia T., Masterman, Philadelphia
15. “Mushrooms May Reduce the Risk of Memory Problems”
I have questions. Who thought that mushrooms of all things should be tested to see if they can do any benefit to the human mind … Did they conduct these experiments to multiple other vegetables and fruits to debate over which could be a potential benefit towards mental illnesses? This seems like such an absurd idea to test.
— Janey L., Masterman, Philadephia, PA
16. “Facebook Opens a Command Post to Thwart Election Meddling in Europe”
I think that people my age should learn about this and the effects that social media may have because when it’s time for us to vote we should know that there is fake news out there and to not believe and let everything we see on the internet affect our decisions.
— Jared Way-Gregory, Masterman, Philly
17. “Silicon Valley Came to Kansas Schools. That Started a Rebellion.”
Should we accept a future where education is comprised of keystrokes and some mouse clicks? I don’t think I would want a future like that.
— Brian E., Masterman, Philadelphia, PA
18. “Dying Is No Reason to Stop Fighting”
It’s the kind of story that should ignite a spark somewhere within you and get you think. It should make you inspired. It teaches us that it doesn’t matter who you are or what’s going on in your life. That you too can stand for something you believe in. That anyone can make a difference.
— Lilly Eubanks, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC
19. “Treating a Patient With a Nightmarish Condition”
I remember myself wondering, as the article began, whether I had somehow stumbled onto an excerpt from a horror short story. My feelings of dread and shock only climbed higher and higher as the article went on, as it poked endlessly at my deepest insecurities, my most hidden fears.
— Seonbin Song, Blacksburg, Virginia
20. “New York Rain: Vintage Sights and Sounds of a Soaked City”
As much as I value necessary discourse in politics and climate change, snapshots of everyday moments serve as reminders of all that is good in this world, in between hard-hitting exposés, and are just as essential to the news cycle. These photographs place emphasis on what connects us.
— Elizabeth A., Upper East Side
21. “Elite Colleges Announce Record Low Admission Rates in Wake of College Cheating Scandal”
I am someone who gets very anxious about my chances of getting into a dream college, and every grade I receive makes me think about how it impacts my chances. When the news broke of this college admissions scandal across the country it made me doubt my abilities to get into a great university.
— Brennan McCauley, Hoggard High School, NC
22. “A Mitten, a Key, a Unicorn: Did You Drop Something?”
I began to notice things I would have once not seen: a child’s hot pink glove, a broken pair of glasses, a note passed in class. All seem like small objects, you could maybe even call them pointless objects. But the story behind a object is what makes the difference.
— Bailey Barefoot, Hoggard Highschool, NC
23. “You Are Not as Good at Kissing as You Think. But You Are Better at Dancing.”
I am both very confident and critical of myself, which can be very confusing. It made me feel comforted, knowing that others feel the same.
— Keira Braithwaite, Hoggard High
24. “Joel Embiid Is Having Fun, Making the Sixers Look Unstoppable”
I chose this article because it talks about my favorite sport, basketball and it talks about Joel Embiid, one of my favorite basketball players. This article also features the Philadelphia 76ers, my home, and favorite, basketball team.
— Aryan Patel, Philadelphia, PA Masterman
25. “Years Ago, My Sister Vanished. I See Her Whenever I Want.”
Overall, whenever I read people’s stories, whether they are sharing their deepest thoughts or fighting for a cause, I realize the power of words and their impact long after we’ve clicked off the article. This type of writing inspires me to use writing as an outlet for me, to explore my feelings or to voice my opinion when I don’t know how to speak it outright.
— Michelle Lamas, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC
