The Forum

Coming out in school shouldn’t mean stepping into isolation—but for many LGBTQ+ students, it does. From slurs in hallways to silence from staff, Sofie Farmer shares how exclusion and ignorance shape queer students’ experiences—and why inclusive education and community support are essential for healing and hope.

Gifted education promises opportunity—but for many low-income and minority students, that promise remains out of reach. Aditi Kona explores how systemic inequities in access, identification, and resources are leaving talented students behind, and why reform is urgently needed.

When the first day of school means logging into Zoom instead of walking through crowded hallways, something essential feels missing. For senior Sadie Bograd, virtual learning brought calm—but also a quiet grief for the unstructured moments, spontaneous connections, and shared spaces that make school feel like home.

For military kids, school isn’t just about textbooks—it’s about resilience, adaptability, and global connection. At DoDEA schools, students learn to say goodbye often, but they also gain lifelong friendships, cultural awareness, and a shared bond that transcends borders.

When school went online, thousands of Kentucky students were left offline. In rural Appalachia, the digital divide isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a barrier to education, connection, and equity. Nathan Hogg calls for urgent solutions to ensure no student is left behind.

For the class of 2020, senior year didn’t end with tassels and cheers—it ended in silence. Yet in that quiet, students like Nasim Mohammadzadeh discovered something deeper: the power of memory, resilience, and a community that shows up when it matters most.

When campuses closed and uncertainty surged, student leaders like Sabrina Collins didn’t back down—they stepped up. From Wi-Fi struggles to policy reform, her story reveals how advocacy, equity, and student voice became essential tools in navigating higher education’s pandemic pivot.

When silence surrounds racism, it thrives. In gifted programs where diversity is scarce and accountability is rarer still, Black students like Zoë Jenkins are left to confront slurs, stereotypes, and systemic neglect—while calling for schools to move beyond neutrality and embrace anti-racism as a core responsibility.

JROTC isn’t just about marching in formation—it’s about finding your voice, building resilience, and learning to lead with heart. For Natalie Tolbert, the program became a lifeline through anxiety, quarantine, and self-doubt, transforming her into a commander not just in title, but in spirit.

Forget spirit weeks and prom themes—Fleming County High School’s student council is rewriting the rules of student leadership. From policy-making power to statewide influence, these Kentucky teens prove that when students are trusted as co-leaders, schools don’t just improve—they transform.

As the pandemic cancels test dates and derails college plans, students like Sanjana are left navigating uncertainty with resilience and hope. Her story underscores why going test-optional isn’t just a temporary fix—it’s a necessary step toward equity in a disrupted admissions landscape.

As COVID-19 spread across the globe, another virus surfaced closer to home—racism. From violent attacks to classroom slurs, Asian American students like Grace Chan are confronting a surge of hate that threatens both their safety and their sense of belonging.

In a time of isolation and uncertainty, one thing remains clear: teachers matter more than ever. From virtual check-ins to life-changing mentorship, students across Kentucky are sharing stories of educators who lifted them up, believed in them, and made school feel like home—even from afar.

rom canceled milestones to closet classrooms, Kentucky students are navigating a pandemic that’s reshaped their lives in every direction. Yet amid the grief and uncertainty, they’re finding resilience, community, and a new kind of hope. Would you like a version that’s more journalistic, poetic, or advocacy-driven? I can tailor it to match your tone or audience.

As COVID-19 cancels test dates and upends college plans, students across Kentucky are calling for a shift in how we measure potential. From rural counties to urban classrooms, they’re united in one message: standardized tests don’t define us—our resilience, leadership, and hard-earned GPAs do. It’s time for colleges to go #TestOptionalNOW.