Writing Contest Winners Summer 2022

Four times a year, we ask our readers to write about the impact recent stories have had on teens around the country. In Summer 2022, we had a range of responses from writers connecting to stories about family income, race, and fitting in.

Fighting Two Battles at Once

by Nabeeha Islam

When I was 8, I was adamant about having a strict daily routine. I woke up at precisely 7 a.m., brushed my teeth at 7:05, and got dressed in 10 minutes. I had to follow this schedule exactly. If not, I experienced panic attacks until I got back into my pajamas and into bed, in hopes to “restart” my day from the beginning until I got my routine right.

Finding a Supportive Home

by M.T.

I was 13 and it was almost summer in Florida. It was a sunny day and my best friend and I were walking to my house after school. When I got home, the atmosphere suddenly shifted from bright and lively to dark and gloomy. 

How Masking Impacted My in-school experience

by Marylene Bioh

After one year of online learning in 8th grade, I chose blended learning for my freshman year at Beacon High School. I only had to go in person one day a week, and during the rest of the week my classes were held remotely.

Why I Love Hard Copy Books

by Winnie Lin

One Saturday last November, I stepped into the place I missed going to the most during quarantine—my local public library. The familiar shelves made me smile behind my mask. The building looked mostly the same as I remembered it from more than a year and a half ago. 

winning essays from the 24th annual awards for youth in foster care

On June 1, 2022, Represent magazine and Youth Communication celebrated the outstanding writing, persistence, and achievements of 10 young people at the 24th Annual Awards for Youth in Foster Care. Each winner received a prize of $1,100 and recognition of their writing, resiliency, and service to others.