Another day, another five hours of Instagram doomscrolling. Maybe my feed was a reflection of my own mental state, but I kept swiping through hours’ worth of content that kept trying to convince me that the world was going to end tomorrow. Why? Climate change. The ever-impending alien invasion. Robots taking over the world. And all that goodness crazed me and convinced me that, as a high school teenager, I couldn’t do squat to stop any of these issues from spiraling into Doomsday.
But wait. Why not? Many of us may know of Malala Yousafzai, who, at twelve years old, began advocating for the education of all women and girls, especially those denied school in her hometown invaded by the Taliban. Or Greta Thunberg, who founded the global climate strike movement, Fridays for Future, at fifteen.
Like them, there are hundreds of teenage powerhouses that are helping change the world from their own backyard. Here are just a few young people making a massive impact to remind many like myself that we can, too—and that the future is ours to create.
Vida Mendoza, Youth Voice
Courtesy of Alison Yin for the Hechinger Report.
Vida Mendoza was only 14 years old when she began advocating for the right to vote for her school board representatives in two years’ time. As a member of the student-led initiative called the Oakland Youth Vote campaign, which rallied for 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote for their school board representatives, she wanted to make sure her school board was held accountable for the massive student population in her district, and that all of the district’s schools got the resources they needed. Her initiative, shared by the Oakland Youth Vote, helped pass these measures enabling students to vote for their school board representatives.
Brianna Fruean, Environmental Activist
Courtesy of Instagram @BriannaFruean.
At 11 years old, Brianna Fruean began presenting at international summits to shed light on climate change in the lives of Pacific youth. As a founding member and leader of the climate initiatives 350 Samoa and Future Rush, she now works to empower Pacific youth voices to speak up against environmental issues through her school visits and powerful speeches. Today, she continues to bring the perspectives of young people to the tables of environmental conferences, fearlessly building a future in which young people’s voices reverberate across the Pacific.
Speaking on International Youth Day in 2015, Brianna delivered her message for young people today: “We as youth may not have all the money or power in the world, but we have something more powerful…and that is passion.”
We, as youth, may not have all the money or power in the world, but we have something more powerful…and that is passion.
Speech by Brianna Fruean on International Youth Day, 2015
Orion Jean, Kid of the Year
Courtesy of the Jean Family.
As the saying goes, “A little kindness can go a long way.” Thirteen-year-old Orion Jean, took that message to heart. Envisioning a present where kids create kind change, he founded the Race to Kindness foundation in 2020. He was named TIME’s Kid of the Year in 2021 for delivering 100,000 meals to families nationwide. Recently, the Race to Kindness Foundation has completed its Race to 500,000 Books drive for children across the country to have books to call their own.
When people come together for a common cause, great things happen.
~ Interview with Orion Jean on TIME For Kids
For kids looking to make the change they want to see, these change makers have shown you that you don’t have to do it alone. Be bold, be fearless, go forth and make a difference.
Sources
Climate Culture: 10 Youth Changemakers from Around the World
Waterford.org: Kids Who Changed the World
Learning by Voting: Students Want the Right to Make a Difference in Real Life
The Pacific Community: Brianna Fruean
Civic Sense 
Leave a comment