Two local middle school students have recently made a mark on the national stage, tackling the issue of youth violence with their words. As reported by Mecklenburg County News, Justice Fields, and Qui’Arie Randall were selected as national ambassadors at the Do the Write Thing (DtWT) Recognition Summit held in Washington, D.C. from July 20-24.
After their essays emerged as standouts among 933 entries from 30 schools in their county, the students embarked on a meaningful journey. Sponsored by the Kuwait-America Foundation and borne out of the desire to stem the tide of violence affecting youth, the DtWT program brought together these young voices. Their time in D.C. wasn't all serious business, as the summit program included a visit to the U.S. Supreme Court and a bus tour of landmarks, not to mention a dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Kuwait to the U.S.
Further cementing their experiences, the two ambassadors toured Capitol Hill, meeting legislative figures such as Ashley Teague, and visited significant sites like the Library of Congress. Their writings were honored by being preserved in a unique collection, providing them with tangible proof of their achievements. The summit culminated with a celebration at the National Press Club, where they received recognition for their brave and thoughtful contributions to the theme "Humanity First", as reported by Mecklenburg County News.
Ambassador Al-Sabah's poignant statement, "The horrendous pain of being a victim of violence feels the same way no matter where you are in the world," resonated with the students’ shared experiences and served as a backdrop to their call for empathy and positive action. Qui’Arie and Justice, through their storytelling of experiencing bullying and witnessing tragic violence, embodied the summit’s ethos to put "Humanity First," with their reflections leading them to advocate for inclusivity and conflict resolution.
The DtWT program, targeting middle schoolers with probing questions about the nature of violence and its impact on their lives, seeks to give them a platform to express their ideas for change. Justice and Qui’Arie are now back, poised to implement the insights they've gained and continue being positive forces within their communities.
