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This week, we present responses to the following challenges: Boost. Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States, once said, “There’s good in everybody. Boost. Don’t knock.” Write about how this has meaning for your own daily life at school. And general writing.

Prompt: Boost

Start boosting

By Isabelle Chen

Age 15, Bradford, Vt.

Beneath every student’s daunted, distressed-looking exterior,

underneath all the folds of nighttime studying and restless sleep,

there’s a pulse of goodness within that arises

when they choose to take action with their heart.

School is tricky and, in some situations, not such a friendly place.

Drama can make itself present at times,

as well as confusing math equations on the whiteboard.

If you decide to help somebody out,

it can make all the difference in their day.

Support, reinforce, or boost up someone you see struggling.

Don’t rely on knocking on someone’s door all the time for reinforcement.

Rather, lend a hand to someone in need.

Maybe they’ll begin to uphold your generosity toward others,

possibly sparking a chain reaction of kindness and courage throughout your school.

Imagine how much of a better environment your school would be —

not just for you, but for others too.

Now quit imagining, and start boosting.

You’re beautiful

By Alaina Jarrett

Age 15, Bradford, Vt.

I walked into my school today.

I saw a girl in the bathroom crying,

looking in the mirror

with nothing but disgust and despair on her face.

Lonely and friendless,

the girl cried as I watched.

I watched as she wished

for a new face, new body —

wished for a friend, for someone to care.

I watched as she looked at her reflection,

dried her tears, and fixed her hair.

She had a look of dread and exhaustion

when she shouldered her bag.

Before she left, I said to her,

“You’re beautiful. Inside and out.”

The saddest thing about it

was how she still mattered less in others’ eyes,

because her brilliant soul

had not been paired

with the type of pretty face they accepted.

Prompt: General writing

The pain of seeing you cry

By Marina Sprague

Age 17, Chelsea

Nothing hurts me more in this world

than seeing my big sister cry.

I wish I could take away your pain.

All I can do is comfort you the best I can,

but I know I’m not good at it.

I wish I could help more.

You are everything to me —

you have always been by my side,

always been so strong and confident.

I look up to you.

So when I see you cry,

and know there isn’t much I can do to help,

it hurts.

I can’t change why you are sad,

but I want you to know just how much I love you.

Out of all the people in this world,

you are the only one

I’m physically hurt by

just to see upset.

I want only to see you smile

and be happy all the time.

I know that’s unrealistic,

because all people have their ups and downs.

But for you…

that is all I wish.