Influental Role Models

By Chrislyn Ancheta

   If you were to tell me you want to change the world, and then show me. If you were to tell the whole school that you want to change their lives, and then show us. Your words are only as good as your actions. All around the world there are individuals with passion in their hearts and courage in their souls. Everyday there is something in the works. 

  Malala Yousafazi a young and inspirational activist, who is peaking her teen years, has challenged her Pakistani government. People and even a bullet could not take this powerful young woman down! As she defends her love for education, she stands alone in her fight. Take notes on this amazing individual. Her actions were louder than her words. 

   An amazing writer once said, “Speak up for what you believe in even if your voice shakes.” It takes so much courage to step out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith but that is what this world needs. A young journalist in Ghana whose identity remains anonymous tells his story on Ted Talks about his fight for the truth. He has risked his life everyday in order to reveal the cruelty and blasphemy that occurs in the towns. He has exposed several criminals in the past few years and he still continues to do so. His words “shine light in the dark spots of society.” impacted the audience as well as the millions of viewers watching the video.

    According to YSA’s 25 Most Powerful and Influential Young People in the World, the youngest of the remarkable bunch was fourteen year old Cassandra Lin who founded the Rhode Island-based project to turn grease into fuel. This young world changer became motivated just after reading an article on how many families could afford to heat their homes in the winter.

   To reiterate, the two components that you require to change the world is the drive for what you are passionate about and the dedication to keep moving even through adversity. Every student here in Shadow Hills has the ability to change the world; if not the world then this city and if not this city then this school. The world needs more Malala Yousafazi’s, Cassandra Lin’s, Madelyn McGlynn’s and etc. Feeling inspired and would like to take a look at other influential young adults, take a look at YSA’s 25 Most Powerful and Influential Young People in the World.