The News Archive

Student Stories of Grading During the Pandemic

The people in Appalachia are resilient.

Younger students not only want and like having a voice in their school, they need it.

Our Interclub Council is one of the greatest tools my school has, and I strongly encourage every school to utilize a council such as this.

Students who have been educated on social justice by their parents and community have an advantage when it comes to navigating online activism, but schools can bridge the gap for students who aren’t so fortunate.

As a Kentucky student who will graduate both career- and college-ready, I personally can attest to the value of both mediums of education.

I am especially grateful for this role because my parents instilled in me the value of education from a young age.

While so much attention has been placed on nationwide elections, it’s important for us to understand that local elections shape policies that directly impact our daily lives.

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.

In a world where Google knows every answer, the real power lies in asking better questions. Ana Despa argues that our schools must shift from rote memorization to cultivating critical thinking—so students don’t just learn facts, but learn how to think for themselves.

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.