ISSUE FOCUS: The Past, The Present and The Future of Women’s Rights Issues
By Kirstyn Lyles, Kaitlyn Poole, McKenzie Matthews, Zaniyah Clayborne
Despite the world’s progression into the digital age, the fact remains that women have been fighting for the rights that men have been given since birth for centuries.
ISSUE FOCUS: Redlining, Voting Suppression and Felony Voting Bans Not Just Relics of Past
By Paris Braggs, Caitlyn Russell, Jeremy Thomas and La’Ziyah Walker
“If you look at who makes the laws, if you look at how things are passed, if you look at how processes are created—most of those things are created by folks who are voted into office.” – Maisie Brown
Many Moves Later, Jeremy Thomas Is ‘Trying To Be Like Mansa Musa’
Now 16, Thomas lives in Bolton with his mother, stepfather and younger brother. His mother seemed to work a lot when he was younger, “probably to afford to move around,” he quips, but it appears to him she has settled down more.
Determined Kaitlyn Poole Embraces Challenges, New Chances to Flourish
When you get older, you’re gonna know a lot of people from different places, which gives you opportunities, which allows you to meet other people rather than just the people at your school you’ve been to all your life,” Kaitlyn Poole says.
Aspiring Journalist Taylor Brandon Would Love to Cover Formula 1 Racing
Taylor Brandon loves Formula 1. Her father introduced her to it, and she has been fascinated with it since then. In the future, she hopes to be a race-car commentator or even publicist.
Embracing Charisma: Ava Washington’s Journey to Community Involvement
In the future, Washington plans to go to the University of Memphis to further her career. However, she is undecided on what she may want to do. “I’ve changed my mind so many times. Right now, I’m feeling like I want to be an OB-GYN, but at one point I wanted to be a defense lawyer,” the student journalist says.
Ferrari Shakespeare’s Story of Adversity and Breakthrough
Shakespeare has many hopes and dreams for her future, but trauma has shaped many of them, as she encountered personal issues in addition to the bullying. These mental battles created a negative impact on her mindset.
Kirstyn Lyles’ Journey to Her Childhood Dream: Graphic Design
Kirstyn Lyles was reading a book while at daycare after school, just as she always did. While reading, the 8-year-old came across many illustrations of art styles that she really liked. Lyles realized she could do that someday, imagining herself drawing the lines and coloring. The 17-year-old now is working toward that childhood dream.
Laila Henderson’s Lifelong Passion For Music and Science
Since second grade, piano has been a big part of Laila Henderson’s childhood. A year after she started playing, she began to play Christmas recitals in the Flowood area. During her 9th-grade year, she joined the Brandon High School show choir and continued until 10th grade.
Zaniyah Clayborne Learned Strength and Work Ethic from Her Mom
Zaniyah Clayborne plans to attend Holmes Community College this fall to major in liberal arts. “One thing I hope to take away from Youth Media Project are writing skills for college,” she says.