In a world where we are often faced with negativity, there is a bright and hopeful movement amongst us. Across the globe, teenagers are stepping up and becoming advocates, leaders, and change-makers within their communities. These young people are showcasing their passion in meaningful initiatives that tackle pressing issues and make the world a better place. With that being said, here at AHS, we see a big community of change-makers.

One inspiring teenager is Disha Ramanujam, a senior at AHS. Ramanujam started her own passion project alongside senior Judith Banuelos. The duo started their own club organization called “The Period Poverty.” The mission is simple yet inspiring: to raise awareness about menstruation while raising funds to make care packages to donate to local centers like Foothill Unity Center that support women and girls who cannot afford these products. 

“Through projects like these, I have been able to see smiles on the faces of many women who have never had the opportunity to be in possession of these materials due to the high-cost rate,” Ramanujam explained. 

“When we receive the thank you from these centers, it just feels right,” Banuelos added.  “Knowing you’ve helped people who truly needed it just makes you realize you are a part of the big efforts to make a difference.” 

Additionally, one of the most remarkable aspects of these passion projects is the tangible impact they make. From organizing local clean-ups to volunteering for shelters, awareness is launched, and changes are made for the better. Through clubs like Evergreen, the community we walk in has become cleaner, and there has been an increase in satisfaction as teens donate and raise money for good. Clubs like Evergreen meet up to clean local parks in exchange for volunteer hours. This not only makes the community a better place but is also able to bring students who have similar goals together. Furthermore, teenagers are taking roles that are traditional to adults and are becoming better activists. 

Teenagers have been choosing diverse topics to focus on which has been making a big difference. For some, they choose to advocate for climate actions, for others, they take an interest in topics of inequality. With that being said, it is evident from duos like Banuelos and Ramanujam that these passion projects don’t run solo. Instead, they are successful because of a collaborative effort. Teenagers have formed groups or clubs to help get more people who are interested in these topics to make a change. 

An example of these groups or clubs is the Amnesty International Club, which is present here at AHS. Vania Ahamdi, a junior, started this club as a chapter of the organization. It is a club where students can write letters to Congress and federal executives to focus more on human rights as they tackle other political issues. Another example is Medical Marvel, which is a student-led nonprofit organization that focuses on shining light on medical topics and helping students who want to pursue a job in the medical field. 

 “Nothing can be done alone,” Banuelos shared. “If it wasn’t for the collaborative efforts Disha made alongside me, then this passion we had to make this idea a reality wouldn’t have happened. It made us realize that for these passion projects to come true, we would have to collaborate through thick and thin.” 

“Working alongside Judith has made me realize how hard it would have been alone,” Ramanujam responded. “She has helped me so much [to] brainstorm ideas, and without her, it wouldn’t have been possible. Together we have managed to accomplish too much and really work to make the world a better place. In the future, I hope to see passion projects like the one Judith and I came up with here at AHS as it really is a thrilling experience.” 

The passion, dedication, and resilience of these young activists are inspiring. They are proof that age is not a limit to making changes in the world. As they continue to pursue their passion projects, they remind everyone that positive change is possible no matter how young or old you are. Teenagers are not just leaders of the future, they are the leaders of today who are shaping the world into a compassionate, equal, and hopeful place.

Photo by Annie Jiang