As 2018 comes to a close, the CNN Heroes Young Wonders of 2018 were recently announced. These five outstanding young people were acknowledged for their exemplary efforts to create change.
Many of these children took the world by surprise with their charities, ideas and organizations. Anderson Cooper, a highly acclaimed journalist who is hosting the awards’ special event, reported these leaders showed the promise of the next generation by showing their acts of kindness and optimism as well as unconditional love.
Many of the children started non-profit organizations which benefited underprivileged people in their community and beyond. Other kids started movements in their communities to help the environment and those in need. They started with small, fairly simple ideas that would brighten people’s days and lives. As their impact grew, they built upon those ideas and created organizations which heavily impact the people around them.
Though young entrepreneurs are often met with doubt, criticism, and sometimes even a laugh, the “Young Wonders” are the shining example of kids believing in themselves and persevering to make a change. Ranging from ages 10 to 18, these young heroes can teach us more than just the joy of giving back. The young, resourceful helpers also show that no one is ever too young to make a difference.
PV students also have been hopeful about changing the lives of those around them for the better. Vashi Chintalapalli, a senior filmmaker, stands as a leader in the Quad Cities. He is an advocate of mental health (even featured on the local news on the matter) and a co-founder of Never Again QC, a group standing with victims of school shootings against gun violence.
Chintalapalli has worked extremely hard to be taken seriously in his town. Though many did not pay much attention to his movements initially, Chintalapalli ambition remained. As he stuck with his mission of changing the world for the better, he slowly gained more supporters and was acknowledged by his peers and the public as a leader and activist.
“Being a youth leader has its advantages-but it also has its difficulties,” Chintalapalli said. He was often overlooked at the beginning stages of his movements, but with persistence, he finally got taken seriously. He encourages his peers to make a difference as well.
Chintalapalli said, “Teenagers, specifically of our generation, are misinterpreted as being socially dependent and arrogant. We’re shown to be a lot less independent than the generations before us- making it seem like we lack the skills to create POSITIVE change.” He wants his peers to overcome these stigmas and make a difference.
Nate Martell, a junior at PV sees the importance of exposing young people to society’s problems. He valued the difference he could make in his community by teaming up with his peers for the better good. He is an officer for Never Again QC and was proud to help organize community events with the club which helped him feel more prepared for the future. He said, “The things we do now will affect us later in our lives and to say that we contributed to change will be amazing. It’s awesome to be part of a generation that cares so much about the future.”
Martell and Chintalapalli agree that young people should never be afraid to start a movement. They want their peers to know that any of them can make a difference if they simply put their minds to it.
