By Maura Sheedy – 12th Grade, Oakland Catholic High School By far, the most rewarding experience I’ve had was my decision to spend a year without makeup.  Like most teenagers, looks are a huge part of my life, whether or not I’d like to admit it.  One afternoon at the beginning of my junior year during a conversation with my friends about our makeup, outfits, and hair for later that night, I couldn’t help but thinking how much time, energy, and money is devoted to looking “perfect”. Then the idea hit me. “Guys what if I went an entire year without makeup?” Read more [...]

By Serena Zets – 10th Grade, Pittsburgh CAPA This past summer completely changed how I view the world, thanks to my involvement in a program called GirlGov.  GirlGov is a program in Western PA that helps teen girls get more involved in politics and work together to make a change. Read more [...]

By Suzen Richardson – 10th Grade, Propel Braddock Hills High School In all of my elementary years I had been the girl in the group who rarely talked to anyone.  I would just draw and keep to myself for I did not feel that I belonged in school, or the group of friends I kept switching to.  I was too weird, too quiet, too different. Read more [...]

By Mirjana Hutnik - 9th Grade, Peters Township High School For the past five years, I have been playing at an elite level of fast pitch softball. I have built so many bonds and relationships through this that I will be forever grateful for.  If it was not for these people I would be no where near where and who I am today. Read more [...]

By Nathan Bindseil - 12th Grade, Central Catholic High School Going into the Pittsburgh Maker Faire, a two day showcase of technology, innovation, creativity, arts and crafts, and all things DIY that occurred in conjunction with the Children’s Museum on October 10th and 11th, I had no idea what to expect. Maybe the event would be analogous to the Three Rivers Arts Fest with its artsy vibe or close to a more entertainment-drive community fair. But, it turned out to be parts of those things and much, much more.   Read more [...]

 Mirjana Hutnik - 9th Grade, Peters Township High School When I think about what I love to make I think about what I have made; memories. There are so many that I have already made and so many more I want to make. From the first one I had to the last one, I want to make them all count. Read more [...]

Loren Perry – 9th Grade, West Allegheny High School My all time favorite hobby in the world is to create new makeup looks. Since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the idea that you can enhance and embrace your natural beauty or even completely alter your appearance with just a few simple products. Read more [...]

By Maura Sheedy – 12th Grade, Oakland Catholic High School One of the most important things I have ever made in my life are the relationships I have made.  Friends, family, mentors, and others we interact with can influence our own lives dramatically and for that reason I love meeting new people and making new friends.  Do you ever think about how different your life would be if you had not met a certain person? Read more [...]

By Stephanie Wang – 11th Grade, Peters Township High School I absolutely love to make things.  There's just something appealing about a DIY project, even if it never looks like those perfect pictures on Pintrest.   Above anything, I love cooking and baking. Read more [...]

By Stephanie Wang – 11th Grade, Peters Township High School To be honest, I've never understood the massive hype of Oreos. Frankly, there's really nothing special about them. The only redeeming quality of them is the rich, white center.  Growing up, I would always save the best for last-- I would remove the creme from the cookie and eat all the creme at the end. Read more [...]