How many times has someone told you that “You can’t do this or that” or “You’re too young to understand” or “The grown ups are talking”? The answer is too many times. Children make just as big, or even bigger, impacts as adults do. Over the years adolescence have been underestimated and looked past when it comes to “grown up things”, but what they fail to realize is that so many huge actions have been done at the small hands of children. For example, Julia Bluhm was only 14 when she convinced the editor of “Seventeen” magazine to feature photos of un-photoshopped and healthy women. Malala Yousafzai was 17 when she was the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Prize for her humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. At 14, Easton LaChappelle built a prototype for a robotic hand out of Legos and fishing wire in 2011, which earned him third place at the Colorado State Science Fair. Thandiwe Chama age 16, Bana al-Abed age 7, Iqbal Masih age 10, Ryan Hreljac age 6, Maya Penn age 8.

Those are just a handful of incredible stories and names that showcase the brilliance and power of the young mind. My biggest inspiration is someone who I have not even listed yet, Greta Thunberg age 16. Since 2018 Greta has been activating for climate change by starting the school strike for climate. She spent months being the only participant, it was only when her inspiring words hit the media when she was no longer alone.

Throughout the hate, threats, and irrelevant comments towards her she has prevailed to present day. Her movement got so much attention that she has started traveling the world to speak out against climate change, she makes heartfelt talks that are backed up by credible sources and calls to action. She inspires me so much and I hope after reading this you find the inspiration to make a difference in spite of outside voices.