Essential education reporting across America

This personal essay series features stories by high school students taking part in Chalkbeat’s fellowship program.

Two high school graduates wearing blue gowns throw their caps into the air.
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
The pandemic defined my high school class in painful and precious ways
This year’s graduating seniors were freshmen when COVID first closed schools.
By Jasmine Harris
 
A black background with text bubbles all around. In the middle are the words Student Voices Fellowship.
Student Voices Fellowship Student Voices Fellowship
Interested in becoming a Student Voices Fellow? Apply here.
Chalkbeat’s 2023-24 paid essay writing program is open to high school juniors and seniors in NYC and Newark.
By Gabrielle Birkner
 
A woman and a teenage boy stand in front of a white board. On the board is a lesson about gender and sexuality.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Struggling during COVID, I helped my school develop a class about mental health
We tackle topics like consent, gender, and self-advocacy. The goal: To destigmatize difficult conversations.
By Dashawn Sheffield
 
A multicolored speech bubble made up of speech bubbles.
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
Losing my Spanish feels like losing part of myself
Sometimes, I need Google Translate just to have a conversation with my mom.
By Ashally De La Cruz
 
A pair of black Converse sneakers on asphalt
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Here’s what it was like for me to transition from ESL to mainstream classes
Speaking up while learning English can be terrifying.
By Karen Otavalo
 
A felt depiction of two women talking
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Student Voices Fellowship
Millions of children translate for their immigrant families. I am one of them.
Since coming to America, my parents have relied on me to navigate school conferences, doctors’ appointments, and even tax forms. Now I’m headed to college.
By Umme Orthy
 
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From Chalkbeat Chicago Student Voices Fellowship
Think my South Side high school is a ‘bad school’? Think again.
Here’s what I want you to know about Chicago’s Wendell Phillips Academy High School.
By Ajibola Elizabeth Junaid
 
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From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Here’s what happened when my ‘no excuses’ school piloted a restorative justice program
I had advocated for new approaches to discipline. Then I benefitted from them.
By Chimdindu Okafor
 
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From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Student Voices Fellowship
There’s more than one way to write a college essay
I resented the expectation that I lead with my trauma. But trauma is not the only thing that defines me, and it’s not the only reason I deserve to go to college.
By Lin Lin
 
Young woman in a black t-shirt and white cap sits at a table surrounded by promotional materials.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Families like mine need more bilingual children’s books
My parents speak Spanish; my 8-year-old brother speaks English. Why aren’t there children’s books they can enjoy together?
By Daniela Palacios
 
A young African American male smiles with his hands out to the side. He wears a maroon and black suit.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
I am a Black, queer teen. I am resilient.
Growing up, masculinity meant denying vulnerability. There’s a better way.
By Dashawn Sheffield
 
En Español
A family at a college graduation ceremony // Una familia en una ceremonia de graduación universitaria.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Cómo una llamada de mi abuela me hace retroceder en el tiempo
By Karen Otavalo
 
Young woman in a black t-shirt and white cap sits at a table surrounded by promotional materials.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Las familias como la mía necesitan más libros bilingües para niños
By Daniela Palacios
 
A multicolored speech bubble made up of speech bubbles.
From Chalkbeat New York Chalkbeat En Español
Perder mi español es como perder parte de quien soy
By Ashally De La Cruz
 
A felt depiction of two women talking
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Student Voices Fellowship
Millones de niños son intérpretes para sus familias inmigrantes. Yo soy una de ellos.
By Umme Orthy
 
A teenage girl stands in front of plants/trees. She wears a beige shirt and blue jeans.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Esta fue mi experiencia al transicionar de las clases de ESL a las clases regulares
By Karen Otavalo
 
The backs of students as they walk through a hall at Adams City High School
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
I’ve been code-switching since kindergarten
Changing my mannerisms and voice requires agility. It’s a skill and a burden.
By Enoch Naklen
 
Two teens and an adult stand next to a statue. A colorful background is behind them.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Student Voices Fellowship
My aunt recognized my potential. That changed my life.
She invited me to live with her in Chicago, seizing the opportunity to change our family’s story.
By Jeremiah Griffith
 
The brick exterior of Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan.
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
I’m a Stuyvesant junior. Here’s what I wish I’d known about the high school I’ve grown to love.
My NYC campus is famous for its academics. It’s also an incredibly creative, supportive, and idiosyncratic place.
By Vanessa Chen
 
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From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Student Voices Fellowship
In America, I faced Islamophobia right from the start
On my first day of school, I wore a pink floral hijab. I didn’t realize it would make me a target.
By Umme Orthy
 
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From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
In the IB track, I learned persistence, patience, and the power of community
I chose Science Park’s International Baccalaureate program for its rigorous academics. My classmates and teachers made it an experience I’ll cherish forever.
By Daniela Palacios
 
A young woman looks out of a bus window, wearing a black mask with long braided hair. She is wearing a grey track jacket with a school logo near the lapel.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Student Voices Fellowship
I expected the America I had seen on TV. But life on Chicago’s South Side is a struggle.
The realities of racism, poverty, food insecurity, and gun violence surprised me.
By Ajibola Elizabeth Junaid
 
A Socrates statue in front of the Academy of Athens.
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
I used to see college as just a prerequisite for med school. A philosophy course changed my mind.
Exposure to the humanities will make me a more open-minded and compassionate physician.
By Jasmine Harris
 
Photo of a pink bedroom with a ceiling fan and white cabinets
From Chalkbeat New York Student Voices Fellowship
Why I didn’t want my friends to see where I lived
I realize now that the roof over my head doesn’t define my mom or me.
By Ashally De La Cruz
 
A family at a college graduation ceremony // Una familia en una ceremonia de graduación universitaria.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
How a phone call with my grandma takes me back in time
The women in my family haven’t had the opportunities now before me, but their stories made mine possible.
By Karen Otavalo
 
A young man talks into a cell phone on the college campus of Howard University.
From Chalkbeat Newark Student Voices Fellowship
Why I see myself at an HBCU
While visiting historically Black campuses, I began to reimagine what my college experience could be.
By Chimdindu Okafor
 
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