The News Archive

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

A Muslim student in Kentucky shares her brave journey of choosing to wear the hijab in a town where her family is the only Muslim one. Despite facing ignorance, bullying, and isolation, she found strength in her faith, support from her mother, and eventually greater confidence. Her experience reveals the need for schools to teach cultural awareness—so all students feel seen, safe, and respected.

Senior Rachel Bradley explores how meaningful learning—not just test prep—can boost engagement, graduation rates, and long-term success. When students see their education as connected to their future, school becomes more than a chore—it becomes a launchpad.

When Lindsey was five, her mother, who had a stable job at the time, spiraled into drug addiction.

From rural Kentucky to Wellesley College, Amanda Wahlstedt’s journey is proof that resilience and voice can shatter expectations. In this deeply personal reflection, she reclaims her story and urges others to speak up—even when it’s scary—to break cycles of silence and redefine what success looks like

One teacher’s belief—and a single piece of candy—sparked a transformation in a struggling child’s life. In this powerful story, Grace Raber shares how education, encouragement, and a stable environment helped her rise from poverty and neglect to become a top student and fierce advocate for Kentucky’s youth.

Every summer, millions of children quietly slip behind—not because they’re lazy, but because opportunity isn’t equally shared. “Summer slide” hits hardest for low-income students, widening achievement gaps that last a lifetime. This article shines a light on how those days away from school can determine a child’s future.

In a warehouse of wonders off Versailles Road, Newton’s Attic empowers Kentucky kids to turn imagination into innovation—whether it’s launching drones, building jet-powered bikes, or wiring pinball machines from scratch. With affordable summer camps and endless tools at their fingertips, students discover that success isn’t about grades—it’s about daring to build what others only dream.

Annie Stauffer recounts her unforgettable journey with the U.S. Youth Futsal National Team in Costa Rica, where stepping onto the court abroad became a powerful lesson in culture, confidence, and connection.

Dhiren Walkley, a senior at Fern Creek High, shares his journey from a refugee camp to Kentucky classrooms—opening up about language barriers, finding belonging, and the unwavering drive for a better future through education.

Logan Ziegler takes us inside the high-stakes world of college admissions, exposing how a single standardized test score can derail dreams, deepen inequality, and overshadow real student potential. His call? Rethink the score-first mentality—and let the full picture speak louder than a number.

Eighth grader Sadie Bograd highlights the deep funding disparities in Kentucky’s schools and urges reform to ensure every student—regardless of zip code—receives a fair and adequate education.

A former student reflects on how AP Literature teacher Mrs. Ayres transformed their view of reading, sparked confidence, and became a lifelong source of support through both academic and personal challenges.

Aly honors her AP Literature teacher, Mrs. Kirwan, whose wisdom, warmth, and whimsical approach—like assigning students tree identities—left a lasting imprint not only on her academics, but on how she experiences life itself.

Centre College’s Grissom Scholars reflect on life as first-generation students and honor the teachers who believed in them, challenged them, and helped shape their journeys toward success.

In a heartfelt tribute for Teacher Appreciation Week, writer Rainesford Stauffer reflects on how a teacher—despite deep ideological differences—inspired her to discover her voice, pursue literature, and embrace curiosity with conviction.