 Isabella, L. 12th - Miami, FL
Deliver an admission of false reciprocity, Delude with lies: “I regret it, expeditiously.” Employ her love to his tyrannic advantage, Encourage false entities; sip from the shattered glass of champagne. Elixir, elixir, whichever pretense needed to allure and keep–– Escapes a cracked smile worn on his lips, at her attempt to drink with a wispy weep. Sacred sacrifice shall not mend the damaged cup––her attempts made in vain. Streams of stale, bubbly champagne slowly drain. A woman once strong, demeaned by stolen promises. An endeavor of adoration, dissipated by betrayal’s whispers, A man’s admission of guilt, tormenting her faltering ambitions. As keen as it seems, she remains, clutching her face with failing blessings.  Zoe H. 10th - Brussels, Belgium
As high as the sky within which he soars are his hopes and dreams of sanctity As hot as the sun he yearns so dearly to touch is the melting wax that singes the skin of his back As broken as his wings is his heart as he tumbles from the sky arms still outstretched towards the heavens  Yaretzi, 10th - Oakland, CA
I have been playing club soccer for three years with a club called Oakland Genesis Soccer Club. This club has been an essential part of my academic and athletic growth. They provide academic support, career and college readiness support, and tutoring sessions, along with the opportunity to play in a competitive soccer team; all for free. The club also provides free transportation to an academic session and soccer practice. They also give students the opportunity to attend special events such as college tours, professional soccer games, festivals, and have opportunities to meet with professional athletes, one of them being Stephen Curry from the Golden States Warriors. Ever since joining the club in 2021, I have seen significant improvement in my performance in school & sports, my work ethic, and in my leadership & social skills. I am always surrounded by people who have similar goals as me which has allowed me to grow even stronger in all these aspects. In November of 2023, the head coaches of Oakland Genesis offered an opportunity that I could not say no to. They offered me a paid internship to work with a company called Lineage Logistics during the summer of 2024. They prioritize their work in finding cost-saving and sustainable ways of transporting cold foods across the world. I was invited to work in their data science offices in San Francisco along with two other members of the soccer club. A few months later, I was forced to make a difficult decision. My brother who has always pushed me to thrive in soccer started to bring up the idea to switch clubs due to the significant amount of losses my team was facing and the lack of participation & effort from my teammates. I was ultimately convinced to switch to a different club. This new club was quite costly and only offered being on the team, but had a better record of wins in their games. When I had announced to my coaches from Oakland Genesis that I would be leaving, they told me something that put me under tremendous pressure; I would have to give up the opportunity of a paid-internship if I were to leave. I did not know what to do. After giving it much thought, in the end I decided that my goals for my future did not consist of being a professional soccer player. I want to be an aerospace engineer and giving up internships, college & career programs, and academic support would not get me the dream career that I work so hard for. My current soccer club, Oakland Genesis, offers me so many opportunities for no cost that others pay to have. Without being in the club, my academics would not have been as strong as they are now. They are continuing to support me in anything I need and I could not ask for more. This showed me that one should never take for granted what they have right in front of them, despite the other options being so tempting to take. People expect to see growth and progress instantly, but great things take time. I could have taken the option to exceed in soccer rapidly, but that would not have allowed me to reach my lifelong goals. Your grass may not be as green and luscious as others, but always remember grass requires a lot of care and time to grow and flourish. Never be tempted to cross to the other side, because it might be a just be facade.  Anya, 8th - Fremont, CA
“Why see the world when you have the beach?” That was the lyric I had received in summer of 2023 during my speech and debate summer camp that I was not too ecstatic to attend. I was to perform a 5 minute impromptu speech about this lyric, seemingly coming from a song named “Sweet Life”. After doing my research, I concluded this song was about how privilege and money numbs people to the real problems of the outside world. But when I began to listen to the song in a deeper sense and pay close attention to the lyrics, I realized that I could deeply relate to the song. While I may not have been someone with a housekeeper or landscaper, I've always been a privileged kid, having taken everything for granted. The connection that I felt to Ocean’s songs greatly deepened when I explored his discography. When I listened, I felt as if I had found someone who actually understood how I felt, someone who had never been present in my life before. His candid storytelling and willingness to express himself to his audience, along with his lyricism and ability to blend different styles. Ocean’s relatability and authenticity has firmly established himself as the transformative and influential figure of the decade. Frank Ocean, born as Christopher Edwin Breaux on October 28, 1987 in Long Beach, California, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. At the age of 5, his family relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, which had a significant impact on his musical development as a child. When Ocean enrolled in the University of New Orleans to pursue English, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 disrupted his plans and he found himself moving to Los Angleles to find a career in music. Ocean began ghostwriting songs for major artists that included Justin Bieber and John Legend, before quickly gaining attention from the music industry. In 2009, Ocean joined hip-hop group Odd Future (OFWGKTA), which consisted of breakout artists such as Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt. Ocean's self-released debut mixtape "Nostalgia, Ultra" in 2011 generated critical acclaim and acknowledgement, and led to a contract with Def Jam Recordings, where his debut studio album "Channel Orange" in 2012 achieved commercial success and earned him a Grammy. His 2016 albums "Blonde" and "Endless" further solidified his reputation with their experimental sounds and personal themes. During the decade of 2010-2020, there have been many formidable breakout artists that have created a longlasting reputation. Many paved the way for newer artists to arrive and erect a career for themselves. In 2021, Drake, a Canadian rapper, was given the Artist of the Decade award at the Billboard Music Awards, Billboard being an American music and entertainment magazine. But are we really awarding a basic rap artist with this tremendous award? Along with Drake, artists like Travis Scott, Future, Yeat, Lil Wayne, and others, while having produced acclaimed music, do not compare to Ocean’s transformative style and innovational lyrics. In a middle school classroom, a poll was held on the artist of the decade, Drake and Taylor Swift taking up almost 85% of the votes taken. While these artists may have popularity, their music is common in the music industry. In 2019, Swift was given the Woman of the Decade award, presented by Billboard, but other than her fan base, what is so special about one female pop artist writing songs about boys when there are thousands more? Swift’s music and writing style, while quite merited, is common among artists like her, examples being Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande. Pop artists like Swift, Grande, and Rodrigo are known as major icons in the music industry, but their songs are often about the same thing and the vocals usually are common in most of their discography. While some have their doubts about Frank Ocean being the best musical artist of the decade, you can’t deny the facts. Callie Ahlgrim from Insider writes: “Listening to Ocean’s music feels like sitting in a planetarium. We’re seeing his memories, musings, and complex emotions reflected prismatically across a spacious, sparkling sky. No one has ever witnessed a celestial event and wished it had been more contained or self-conscious.” Frank’s raw talent and individuality makes his music feel original and fresh to the listener, and the emotion he so perfectly captures is perfectly reflective of all our own experiences. Business Insider, multinational financial and business news website, states that, “The way Ocean earnestly grapples with themes like youth, innocence, lost love, loneliness, desire, and mortality…is why he's one of the defining artists of our time.” It is clear that in Ocean’s discography how he tackles sensitive topics and is able to express emotions that many struggle to bring up. An example of this is the song “rushes” off of his visual album, Endless. These lyrics communicate that Ocean had a relationship that he would do anything to keep alive, while the other didn’t reciprocate those same feelings of wanting to stay together for the rest of their lives. At the end of the record, Ocean states, “getting used to it”, impling that the relationship has ended and he is with someone new, but he will never be able to relive the ‘rushes’ that he received when he was with this specific person. Another tough subject matter was the idea of the LGBTQ+ community, and Ocean’s view on how he fits, or rather, doesn’t fit in, which is represented in the song, “Bad Religion”. He speaks about his struggles being a homosexual religious individual who has to hide so that he isnt judged by those around him. He references cyanide, as he would die for God’s love, but the congregation and God would never love him due to his sexuality. He also mentions being in a “one man cult”, referring to the fact that he grew up loving someone that will never love him back, comparable to a cult because you spend your life trying to prove your worth and that you are deserving of their love but your worth is never really valued. Ocean has made a name for himself as the decade's most significant and revolutionary personality thanks to his relatability and genuineness. His lyricism and underlying storytelling is moving to all that listen, and his expressive vocals in every one of his songs range, making each one as unique as the previous. As Gator Gazette, or the student blog of Wellington Lands High School, states, “His unwavering commitment to authenticity, fearlessly candid storytelling, and willingness to challenge societal conventions have firmly established him as a transformative and influential figure in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.” His unique sound and innovative approach continue to inspire countless fans and fellow musicians. Because of his groundbreaking work, Frank Ocean is undeniably the best artist of the decade.  Evvi, 11th - Vermont
In the mirror, I see fragments of you staring back at me, but I refuse to let your shadow define the woman I've become. Your voice echoes in my mind, reminders of the wounds you inflicted, but I've unearthed a resilience, a fire that burns brighter than your darkness. I stand tall, strong and empowered, with each step forward a declaration of my freedom from your hold. I am more than your failings. In the mirror, I see not just fragments of you, but the reflection of a woman who has risen from the ashes, unbound by the chains of your affect. And though your presence still lingers, a ghost haunting the boundaries of my being, I know that I am more than the sum of your limitations. In the mirror, I see not your shadow, but the radiant light of my own resilience, illuminating the path to my true self.  Victor M. 10th - Soweto, South Africa
I am a prince, son of a king Born to wealth, with privilege's ring But respect, I've never earned with my own might Inherited riches, without a fight People envy my life, with its gilded glow But I yearn to earn every treasure I know To sweat and toil, and turn my labor to gold Not simply inherit, with a life already told While others strive, their hard work on display I live off the legacy of my ancestors' day I wish to be reborn, in a humble place To earn each triumph, and know the value of my face To be the breadwinner, not the golden son To learn respect and responsibility, before the day is done For true worth is earned, not given at birth And only then, can I claim my true worth on this earth.  Imbongiyezwe, 10th - South Africa
UTHANDO LWAMI NGAYE Ngiyamthandaangizenzisi Owami ng'yamthanda angizenzisi, ngihluleka noma sebemusho bembek' amabala kuhle kwengwe Kodw' olwakh' uthando limi njalo kweyami inhliziyo Lubanzi lujulile lunjengolwandle Bayek' onondaba baqephuze bageq' amagula kodwa Mina nawe sofa slahlane' amabala kuhle kwengwe Kodw' olwakh' uthando limi njalo kweyami inhliziyo Lubanzi lujulile lunjengolwandle🏝️ Bayek' onondaba baqephuze bageq' amagula kodwa Mina nawe sofa slahlane Hayi Mthokozisi wenhliziyo yami ungethuki Nami lomuzwa ungifikele kwazise nguwe Ongenza ngizizwe ngalendlel Ubuthong'angsabazi nenkumbulo idlala ngamii Uthando lwami ngawe alinakuchazwa wumuntu enhlizwen Yami uneskhala esinganakuvalwa yilutho Enhlizwen Yami kubusa wenah MY LOVE FOR HIM I love him, I'm not pretending I love mine, I'm not pretending, I fail even when they tell me they have spots like a tiger But your love is always in my heart It is wide and deep like the sea Let's talk about things and run away from the sick, but me and you are on the couch and you are like a tiger But your love is always in my heart It is wide and deep like the sea Let the people talk and talk about the sick, but you and I are on the couch Hey, the Joy of my heart, don't be afraid I also got this feeling because it was you What makes me feel this way You were in doubt and memory plays with me My love for you cannot be explained by anyone In my heart you have a space that cannot be closed by anything My Heart reigns wenah  Adyl, 11th - Berkeley, MI
it’s weird to watch the two people you love the most completely separate it’s a slow fall that starts with one argument turns into a series of useless banters the elephant in the room, picking i’ve learned to ignore pretty well not my fault i’m always told but it’s present nevertheless weekly turns into daily my idea of love shifts what made it shatter actually, no what combination of things broke our lives into two pieces a downhill staircase. |