The Forum

Adym White is a teenager with dreams of becoming a welder—but at school, his gender identity has overshadowed everything else. Bullied, misgendered, and punished for standing up for his rights, Adym’s story reveals how far schools still have to go to protect and respect transgender students. Education should be about learning—not surviving.

When Karen Matsui knelt to pray for a butterfly at age six, it wasn’t faith—it was fear of standing out. Growing up Buddhist in a Christian-centered school system, she learned early that being different could feel isolating. Her story is a powerful reminder that when one identity is centered, others are quietly taught to feel ashamed of theirs.

College is marketed as a launchpad to success—but for students like Laney Taylor, navigating the financial maze to get there is a journey shaped by sacrifice, uncertainty, and grit. From decoding aid letters to confronting social capital gaps, her story reveals how affordability is about more than money—it’s about access, equity, and the invisible barriers that shape who gets to belong. If we want real reform, we need to start with the voices of students living the struggle.

College is often hailed as the gateway to financial stability—but for students like Lakin Dillingham, the path is riddled with barriers that no scholarship brochure ever mentions. From living in a car to navigating trauma-blind financial aid systems, her story reveals how inaccessible higher education can be for those who need it most. If college is truly for everyone, it’s time we start listening to the students who are fighting hardest to get there.

Public schools are meant to uphold the separation of church and state—but for many students, religion is woven into the fabric of daily life, from morning pledges to holiday parties. As winter approaches, students of minority faiths reflect on how well-meaning traditions can unintentionally isolate, stereotype, or overlook their beliefs. It’s time to ask: are our schools celebrating diversity, or just assuming it?

Metal detectors, ID badges, and backpack searches were meant to make students feel safer—but at Lafayette High School, they’ve sparked fear, frustration, and fierce debate. As students crowd into the gym each morning, many wonder: are these measures protecting us, or just creating new risks? The tension between perceived safety and real security is growing louder with every scan and every whispered concern.

Feeling out of place isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s culture shock, and it hits hardest where diversity is missing. What if communities could flip the script and turn unfamiliarity into connection? Discover how even the smallest steps toward inclusion can spark lasting change.

A college degree, often called a “ticket to the middle class,” is proven to boost incomes and promote financial success. But that’s only if you can get one.

With the odds stacked against them—from overwhelming counselor ratios to rising mental health challenges—students are struggling to navigate life after high school. This piece argues it's time to rethink how we guide them, starting by empowering teachers as everyday mentors and mental health allies.

High school isn’t one-size-fits-all—and for some students, four years can be too much. Early graduation gives students the freedom to shape their futures, whether that means saving for college, gaining work experience, or just escaping senioritis. This piece explores how districts are making flexible paths more accessible, and why they matter.

The Green Dot program aims to reduce bullying and violence by training students to call out harmful behavior—but at Paul Laurence Dunbar High, it risks being dismissed as a joke. Sophomore Zoë Jenkins dives into the challenge of turning a well-intended initiative into real cultural change, urging peers to take the program—and each other—more seriously.

America’s “English bubble” is holding students back. Sanaa Kahloon argues that early, immersive language education builds smarter, more empathetic kids—and it's time our schools treated it like the global priority it is.

Sadie Bograd highlights a key issue: many schools lack free menstrual products, causing stress, embarrassment, and missed class time for girls—especially those in low-income households. She calls for simple, stigma-busting fixes like pad dispensers and donation baskets to make schools more supportive and inclusive.

Parker Smith explores how equity and academic excellence can coexist—challenging Fayette County’s approach to gifted education. As resources shift toward struggling students, Parker argues that gifted programs like GAP shouldn’t be sacrificed, and calls for collaborative solutions that uplift all learners, not just those below the benchmark.

In this personal essay, Henry Clay senior Sarah Kent shares how working through high school taught her grit, financial discipline, and the true cost of chasing dreams. From restaurant shifts to late-night homework, she’s determined to build a future where struggle doesn’t define her—or her family