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.
Haley Bradford: Music and Supportive Family Are Her Safe Place
During her years in music, Haley Bradford received several achievements and awards, like making and remaining on the all-state choir for three-plus years, and also fared well on a Disney performance that helped her team achieve all-superior ratings.
Caitlyn Russell Uses ‘Titan Spirit’ To Never Give Up, Even Through Grief
Caitlyn Russell is also currently a junior at Ridgeland High School where she participates in many clubs including the Volunteer Club. She plans to continue to grow and embrace her “titan spirit” for the rest of her years at RHS.
La’Ziyah Walker: A People Person Who Loves Solitude and Writing
“Your only job is to be a student,” her mother regularly told her. Walker’s parents made sure that the separation had as little as possible of an impact on her everyday life. Due to this, she is still achieving academic success and doing well in school.
Former Child Star McKenzie Matthews Uses Faith to Grow
Matthews’ time on set with Chadwick Boseman opened her eyes to endless opportunities and lessons. It pushed her to thrive off the negative and push forward with the positive. By moving forward with the positive, she had to let go of all her struggles and problems.
Media Manipulation: How the Media Change Voters’ Perspectives
By Taylor Brandon
Although politicians discuss ways that they want to be represented, voters also have opinions on what they want to see from the media during election season. “Sometimes we’re misled. We think one side of the story is true, but you never know. There are always two sides to a story, and the media should report both. Reporters cannot make our decisions,” Bustillo said.
March to Equality: Alyce Clarke’s Fight for Women’s Rights and Voting in Mississippi
By Ferrari Shakespeare
Clarke emphasized in her YMP interview that it was necessary for her to be strong with men to overcome barriers and get what she wanted and needed. “As women, we always have a lot of things that come to us, and men feel like they can have the control and right to tell us what to do with our body,” she said. “But as women, we have a stronger voice than men.”
