The annual Do The Write Thing Challenge is the hallmark program of the National Campaign to Stop Violence. Do The Write Thing encourages middle school students to engage in discussions about youth violence with their teachers and peers, write about their experiences with violence—as well as its causes and solutions, and pledge to do their part to end it.

This year, 78,000 students took the challenge and submitted essays. Since its inception, the National Campaign to Stop Violence estimates that 1 million young people have submitted essays and more than 2 million have participated in classroom discussions through the challenge.

The 2018 winning essayists—known as national student ambassadors—represent challenge programs in 24 cities. Two student ambassadors per city were invited to Washington, DC, to share their stories and learn about the nation’s capital.

“My dad used to hit my mom, which took a huge toll on my life,” wrote Jada C. in her essay shared during the challenge ceremony, which took place at the U.S. Supreme Court on July 16, 2018. “He would also say things that were very hurtful to me. This messed up my self-esteem a lot. This has impacted me at school and growing up. I have a defense mechanism now, which is blocking a lot of people out of my life.”

Ceremony attendees received a book containing Jada’s essay along with those of her fellow student ambassadors. The students also expressed ideas about the causes of and potential solutions to violence within their communities.

Eighth grader George H. wrote about curbing social media’s contribution to cyberbullying. “The best way to stop violence is to spread positivity and love,” he wrote. “I can start speaking up for my friends. A true friend would not allow someone to make others they care about feel doubt or pain. I can start with kind words … . You never know what is going on in someone else’s world, so why not lift them up with kindness?”

“When we fear something or someone, we are restrained from our full potential,” wrote eighth grader Keyli L. “Therefore, always remember that when you overcome fear, nothing can hold you back. In the future, my goal is to be a lawyer and focus on giving a louder voice to children in fear.”

It is up to my generation and generations ahead to make the changes necessary in order to form a more perfect nation.

—Kathleen T., eighth grade student and 2018 national student ambassador for the Do The Write Thing Challenge.

Sixth grader Juan T. wrote about growing up fatherless because of violence. “My biological father went to jail, leaving me, my sister, and my brother without a father figure. I was 3 years old when this happened … I do not know how it feels to have a father-son moment.” Although Juan doesn’t think he can change the world, he believes he can impact those around him. “I can create a safe space amongst my friends where we can trust each other, protect one another, and help each other resolve any issues we might encounter. I can also tell a teacher if anything is happening in school or in my community.”

Administrator Harp congratulated the students on their fearlessness and encouraged them to continue to take a stand against violence. “We all know that the answer to violence in our communities does not lie with the federal government alone. It lies with each person within each community. Every one of us has a part to play in keeping our homes, our schools, and our streets safe,” Ms. Harp said.

Resources:

To read more about the National Campaign to Stop Violence and the Do the Write Thing Challenge, visit the National Campaign's website.

Information about OJJDP’s child protection efforts through children’s advocacy centers, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is available online.

OJJDP’s website also provides information on the Office’s violence reduction and prevention initiatives, which include mentoring, gang suppression, and understanding trauma’s impact on children exposed to violence.