Winners
Alexander M., 16, from Denmark, responded to a short Opinion video from May, “We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.,” by writing:
I remember panic flooding the room — lit by the flickering blue light of a police car outside — during a gathering in support of political prisoners. I remember saying goodbye to my brother, worrying he would not return from the protests. I grew up in Russia as Putin’s tyranny strengthened, and I fear that many more will soon have memories like this.
The authoritarian playbook is always the same: first, the state comes for marginalized groups no one cares about; soon, the media and activists; then your friends and family. The video talks about the Americans’ belief in exceptionalism: “Fascism can happen elsewhere but not here.” Russians believed the same. Yet, here we are: the government is killing people for dissent, waging an aggressive war, and threatening the rest of the world with nuclear weapons.
The authors mention the words Russians learn from the cradle (proizvol, prodazhnost). I would like to add one more term to this list: silovik (plur. siloviki). My body freezes when I hear this word. A silovik is a state worker who uses force without any restraint. Persecutes, kidnaps, imprisons — whatever.
“You get out sooner rather than later,” the video warns. Sadly, it is true. I had to do the same — leave even before I started high school. But if there is a lesson from Russia, it is very simple: those who are safe must help the victims of siloviki by organizing legal defense, publicity, and resistance.
Runners-Up
In alphabetical order by the writer’s first name.
Adrian L. on “The Very Gay Life of Edmund White”
Bowen Raymond Jiang on a Learning Network writing prompt, “Pen and Pencil”
Emily X. on “Are You Asian American? Let’s Talk About Your (Gold) Jewelry”
Kaylee Dang on “Trivia and ‘Jeopardy!’ Could Save Our Republic”
Marceline S. on “No Home, No Retirement, No Kids: How Gen Z-ers See Their Future”
Max Hung Nguyen on “50 Years After Saigon’s Fall, ‘the Wall’ Reflects and Collects a Nation’s Trauma”
Samaira Gaind on “Don’t Pity a Woman Eating Alone”
Samantha D. on “Tensions Flare Between Protesters and Law Enforcement in L.A.”
Seojin Kim on “Does Hot Lemon Water Have Any Health Benefits?”
Shitong Z. on “Eating Your Way Through Europe. Or Anywhere, Really.”
Taisiia on “A Girl Struggles to Survive Her Country’s War and Her Own”
Taylor Gaines on “Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?”
Yueqian on “Visions of My Father”
Yukang L. on “Trump and Musk Alliance Crumbles Amid Public Threats and Insults”
Zachi Elias on “When Dementia Changes a Loved One’s Personality”
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Honorable Mentions
Abigail C. on “Why Are Cats Such a Medical Black Box?”
Addison A. on “Trump Administration More Than Doubles Federal Deployments to Los Angeles”
Adhi on ”Risking Their Lives to ‘Self-Deport’ “
Angela Sun on The Truth About Dreams
Anya W. on “You’re a Friend, Tofu”
Audley on “Losing International Students Could Devastate Many Colleges”
Bailey on “A New Headache for Honest Students: Proving They Didn’t Use A.I.”
Dweny G. on “A.I. Killed the Math Brain”
Grady W. on “The Man of the Moment Is 3,000 Years Old”
Emeline Z. on “Say Goodbye to Your Kid’s Imaginary Friends”
Jerry L. on “Who Would Steal New York City’s Pigeons? Mother Pigeon Thought She Knew”
Leah T. on “Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students”
Olivia G. on “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2025”
ShiYi Yang on “A Girl Struggles to Survive Her Country’s War and Her Own”
Stephan A. on “It’s Not Just a Feeling: Data Shows Boys and Young Men Are Falling Behind”
Tiffany W. on “The Things Only English Can Say”
Wei Z. on “What to Know About the Immigration Protests in Los Angeles”
Yanxi D. on “Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students”
Yuying F. on “A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t”
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