GENERATION NOW: THE POWER OF US
Available on Amazon for only $9.50 now!
All proceeds are donated.
April, 2021
Like air in our lungs, we, the changemakers, have placed ink in these pages. Ink that will be set for ages to come so that our stories may continue to inspire, uplift and motivate the next generation. We have uploaded ourselves through a series of powerful narratives that not only touch the heart but transform the mind.
Available on Amazon for only $9.50 now!
All proceeds are donated.
April, 2021
Like air in our lungs, we, the changemakers, have placed ink in these pages. Ink that will be set for ages to come so that our stories may continue to inspire, uplift and motivate the next generation. We have uploaded ourselves through a series of powerful narratives that not only touch the heart but transform the mind.
A LITTLE TASTE
William Bellamy ~ The Power of Justice
Three shots, three hits, one dead. William’s story takes you through the daunting tragedy of being a victim of gun violence at the young age of 15. Losing a best friend and the psychological challenges he dealt with were not always easy. Through a detailed portrayal of the nightmare of February 10, 2013, this story exposes the lack of gun control in the state of Louisiana. William also takes you through his experience in trial with a 9-millimeter bullet lodged in his jaw. The perpetrator, originally charged with first degree murder and two attempts of it, dodges life in prison and is sentenced to only 13 months in jail. After investigating one of the most high-profile cases in Louisiana, William challenges the verdict and the criminal justice system itself.
Leanna Dalessio ~ The Power of Time
Everyone assumes that their life will play out like the perfect fairytale they created in their minds as children. People expect to go to college, find a job, get married and have children, in that order and at the ideal age. There is an unspoken pressure to meet this societal timeline that, in reality, has very little care for the individual it serves. This belief has not been challenged in the last hundred years; despite the radical changes we’ve seen in modern lifestyles. Leanna hopes to open the public's eyes to the unrealistic and unattainable expectations it has placed upon individuals. She encourages people to disregard this pressure by creating their own timeline rather than trying to fit into the one society as assigned to them.
Shane Ford ~ The Power of Happiness
The feeling of happiness is universally known…. or is it? In this piece, Shane goes into detail about happiness and its effects on life. As the years pass, it seems that today's society is coexisting more closely with anxieties. The feeling of constant judgment through avenues such as social media and television, the levels of happiness and contentment seem to be dwindling as these mediums of communication create unattainable standards for happiness. The goal of Shane’s writing is to shed light on how readers can become more aware of their happiness levels, and hopefully learn to improve their own well-being.
Hayley Coakley ~ The Power of Movement
We all have experienced, or will experience, the pressure of a social norm. Far too often we are told how to look, act, speak and all together move throughout our lives. Hayley shares her views in a series of three examples on how movement away from expectation has personally affected her. This powerful exposition offers a heartfelt take on the opportunities finally accepting who you are can uncover. Through her stories, Hayley guides readers to ignite the spark of living independently from predetermined “destiny” by uncovering inner, outer and life acceptance.
Jack Williams ~ The Power of Resilience
Jack opens up about setbacks in life and how tough times don’t last but tough people do. Through basketball, Jack has had to overcome obstacles that had a physical and mental impact on his life. His journey is unique and has shaped him into the person he is today. Battling through injuries and surgeries, he was able to fight back and grow as an athlete and person overall. The path Jack took was not a normal one but he was able to overcome and become the person he is today. Jack talks about the challenges that exist in everybody’s life, and how it is up to each person’s inner power and personality to either stand up and fight or let them take over.
Andrew Evans ~ The Power of Learning
Andrew examines the current racial inequality and injustices in the field of education in the U.S. He talks about his upbringing, with both of his parents working in the field of education, and he shares how he became involved in the field. Andrew examines his observations in the field, presents data and insight into the field, and works to find solutions to create a more equitable learning experience for all people. He argues that together, we can all create a happier, more fair world.
Ava DiSavino ~ The Power of Art
Visuals rule the world around us. Art gives people a platform to make their voice heard, express themselves, and share their experiences. From elementary to high school, the arts are often lost. Arts programs are cut and left behind, leaving students without outlets for creativity and innovation. Ava takes you through her journey of finding her voice in art, and offers a perspective which invites readers to look at reality through a different lens. Does an arts education have more to offer than just learning how to draw or paint?
Abdul Raafey Shoukat ~ The Power of Tradition
Living in a post-truth society, it seems individualism and satisfactory quality of life has not yielded the desired effects for the Global North. Unhappiness, high divorce rates and high suicide rates are but a few features of these developed nations. Abdul Raafey questions the duality of his personality and being while exploring the different lens’ life has offered him a look through. While attempting to make sense of the historical; social and geo-political forces that have culminated to make his life and worldview. The question therein being asked is, do we embrace tradition and reject modernity? Even if it is only a mere discourse, Abdul suggests that it is worth exploring in Todays’ Age of (dis) Information.
Celina Munoz ~ Finding Power in Yourself
Imposter syndrome (IS) is experienced widely among people from all backgrounds. Have you ever questioned your ability to do something? Did you ever feel like a fraud waiting to be exposed? As a high school intern at a science museum Celina had to grapple with the phenomenon and the effects on her college career in STEM. Managing and trying to overcome IS, she explores the root of her imposter experience and its relationship to a larger societal problem. Celina explores different ways you can help decrease the ramifications of IS in the computing field, and to society as a whole.
William Bellamy ~ The Power of Justice
Three shots, three hits, one dead. William’s story takes you through the daunting tragedy of being a victim of gun violence at the young age of 15. Losing a best friend and the psychological challenges he dealt with were not always easy. Through a detailed portrayal of the nightmare of February 10, 2013, this story exposes the lack of gun control in the state of Louisiana. William also takes you through his experience in trial with a 9-millimeter bullet lodged in his jaw. The perpetrator, originally charged with first degree murder and two attempts of it, dodges life in prison and is sentenced to only 13 months in jail. After investigating one of the most high-profile cases in Louisiana, William challenges the verdict and the criminal justice system itself.
Leanna Dalessio ~ The Power of Time
Everyone assumes that their life will play out like the perfect fairytale they created in their minds as children. People expect to go to college, find a job, get married and have children, in that order and at the ideal age. There is an unspoken pressure to meet this societal timeline that, in reality, has very little care for the individual it serves. This belief has not been challenged in the last hundred years; despite the radical changes we’ve seen in modern lifestyles. Leanna hopes to open the public's eyes to the unrealistic and unattainable expectations it has placed upon individuals. She encourages people to disregard this pressure by creating their own timeline rather than trying to fit into the one society as assigned to them.
Shane Ford ~ The Power of Happiness
The feeling of happiness is universally known…. or is it? In this piece, Shane goes into detail about happiness and its effects on life. As the years pass, it seems that today's society is coexisting more closely with anxieties. The feeling of constant judgment through avenues such as social media and television, the levels of happiness and contentment seem to be dwindling as these mediums of communication create unattainable standards for happiness. The goal of Shane’s writing is to shed light on how readers can become more aware of their happiness levels, and hopefully learn to improve their own well-being.
Hayley Coakley ~ The Power of Movement
We all have experienced, or will experience, the pressure of a social norm. Far too often we are told how to look, act, speak and all together move throughout our lives. Hayley shares her views in a series of three examples on how movement away from expectation has personally affected her. This powerful exposition offers a heartfelt take on the opportunities finally accepting who you are can uncover. Through her stories, Hayley guides readers to ignite the spark of living independently from predetermined “destiny” by uncovering inner, outer and life acceptance.
Jack Williams ~ The Power of Resilience
Jack opens up about setbacks in life and how tough times don’t last but tough people do. Through basketball, Jack has had to overcome obstacles that had a physical and mental impact on his life. His journey is unique and has shaped him into the person he is today. Battling through injuries and surgeries, he was able to fight back and grow as an athlete and person overall. The path Jack took was not a normal one but he was able to overcome and become the person he is today. Jack talks about the challenges that exist in everybody’s life, and how it is up to each person’s inner power and personality to either stand up and fight or let them take over.
Andrew Evans ~ The Power of Learning
Andrew examines the current racial inequality and injustices in the field of education in the U.S. He talks about his upbringing, with both of his parents working in the field of education, and he shares how he became involved in the field. Andrew examines his observations in the field, presents data and insight into the field, and works to find solutions to create a more equitable learning experience for all people. He argues that together, we can all create a happier, more fair world.
Ava DiSavino ~ The Power of Art
Visuals rule the world around us. Art gives people a platform to make their voice heard, express themselves, and share their experiences. From elementary to high school, the arts are often lost. Arts programs are cut and left behind, leaving students without outlets for creativity and innovation. Ava takes you through her journey of finding her voice in art, and offers a perspective which invites readers to look at reality through a different lens. Does an arts education have more to offer than just learning how to draw or paint?
Abdul Raafey Shoukat ~ The Power of Tradition
Living in a post-truth society, it seems individualism and satisfactory quality of life has not yielded the desired effects for the Global North. Unhappiness, high divorce rates and high suicide rates are but a few features of these developed nations. Abdul Raafey questions the duality of his personality and being while exploring the different lens’ life has offered him a look through. While attempting to make sense of the historical; social and geo-political forces that have culminated to make his life and worldview. The question therein being asked is, do we embrace tradition and reject modernity? Even if it is only a mere discourse, Abdul suggests that it is worth exploring in Todays’ Age of (dis) Information.
Celina Munoz ~ Finding Power in Yourself
Imposter syndrome (IS) is experienced widely among people from all backgrounds. Have you ever questioned your ability to do something? Did you ever feel like a fraud waiting to be exposed? As a high school intern at a science museum Celina had to grapple with the phenomenon and the effects on her college career in STEM. Managing and trying to overcome IS, she explores the root of her imposter experience and its relationship to a larger societal problem. Celina explores different ways you can help decrease the ramifications of IS in the computing field, and to society as a whole.
