Issue I: Debut
Welcome to our very first issue!
When we first imagined Teen Gazette, we weren’t sure how far it would go. But then over 1,000 submissions poured in from teens across the world—and we were completely blown away. It was proof of just how much creativity, courage, and talent our generation holds, and why it’s so important to create a space where those voices can shine.
Reading through each submission was inspiring. Every piece carried its own perspective, story, and spark, reminding us that teen creators are not only powerful but also incredibly diverse in their ideas. While we couldn’t publish everything, the work you’ll find in this first issue reflects the energy, imagination, and uniqueness of our generation.
Along with publishing so many amazing works, we’re also excited to recognize a few standout pieces through our awards:
Writing Piece of the Issue
“Some Days” by Grace Short
Honorable Mention: “Dear Dead Friend,” by Ginger Hester
Visual Piece of the Issue
“A Metaphor of Death” by Nancy Vélez
Honorable Mention: “The Unseen Hour of Beauty” by Norman Arnaout
Special Recognition Pieces (Writing + Visual)
“A Blurry Man in Niigata” by Evelyn Buklad
“Bloom” by Sophia Velichkova
This issue is just the beginning. We’re so proud to share it with you—and we can’t wait to keep growing, publishing, and uplifting even more teen voices in the issues ahead. Enjoy!
Writing
Poetry
Short Stories
Personal Essays
Creative Nonfiction
Opinion Pieces
Letters & Journal Entries
Visual
Teen Spotlight
Riya Velhal on Mental Health, Advocacy, and Taking Up Space as a Gen Z Changemaker
At just a high school sophomore, Riya Velhal has already made her mark as a nonprofit founder, policy advocate, and student leader. She created Roots of Impact to bring emotional literacy into elementary…
Keep reading
NextBigSib: Teen-to-Teen Mental Health Support
Mental health support for teens is often difficult to access—whether because of cost, availability, or stigma. That’s where NextBigSib comes in. Founded by 16-year-old Juhi Samanta, NextBigSib is a nonprofit dedicated to…
Keep readingThank You for Reading!
Thank you for reading our very first issue of Teen Gazette! Every piece you’ve just explored is proof of how powerful teen voices can be. To everyone who shared their work and everyone who cheered us on—we couldn’t have done it without you. Make sure to stay connected with us on TikTok (@teengazette) and Instagram (@teen.gazette) to keep up with our journey. We’ll see you in Issue II!
The Teens Behind Issue I
Leadership Team:
Editor-in-Chief — Sammuel Adanlete
Managing Editor — Sophia Liao
Editorial Lead — Julia Larrazabal
Creative Director — Abigail Owusu
Writing Review Team:
Lyla Stewart
Ashka Shah
Izel Valladres Mejia
Luella Simms
Peter Chavez
Ebube Laura Ozurigbo
Amias Tony-Itoyah
Wilfred Freund
Anousha Hasan
Issabelle Joseph
Mariana Quigley
Sahasra Singirappa
Visual Review Team:
Arianna Williamson
Rachel You
Harlee McCall
Olivia Muñoz
Savannah Adelynn Wiley
Delanna Medina
Vera Tinmaz
Editorial Assistants:
Julie Chiu
Athena Hou
Design Assistants:
Marleen Almarez-Menendez
Adejumoke Miracle Adejala
Vanessa Rosario
Jordynn Rowe
