The News Archive

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.

As the pandemic disrupts classrooms and cancels key exams, students like Courtney are left grappling with more than just missed milestones—they’re facing an uncertain future. With testing delays and unequal access to resources, the push for test-optional admissions has never felt more urgent.

What began as distant headlines from Wuhan became a personal battle with COVID-19 in a Lexington apartment. One student recounts the emotional toll of quarantine, the strength of community, and why teens must take the pandemic seriously—not just for themselves, but for those who can’t afford not to. Want a version that’s more journalistic, poetic, or urgent in tone? I’d be happy to rework it.

What happens when grief walks the halls of a school? After four tragic losses in just three years, one student reflects on how institutions respond to mourning—and why emotional recovery can’t be rushed by a bell schedule.

Caught between canceled proms and chaotic online learning, one student reflects on the surreal new rhythm of pandemic life. As uncertainty looms and routines unravel, she finds comfort in small joys—and the radical act of self-kindness. Would you like a version that’s more journalistic, humorous, or introspective? I can shape it to match your tone.

Preschool isn’t just finger paints and story time—it’s a powerful tool for shaping futures. From cherished childhood memories to data-backed outcomes in education, health, and crime reduction, early childhood education proves its worth. So why is universal access still out of reach?

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.