Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. High school students weigh in on what social, environmental and political issues matter to them.
by Satenik Ayrapetyan, senior at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
It’s an idealist notion but, if possible, have some empathy.
It’s a lot to demand from a convicted felon, who is also a rapist.
Nevertheless, empathy toward the American people, our allies and anyone across the globe should be a core value of our leader. America is a wide, expansive nation comprising a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures. People from all corners of the world have flocked to this nation. Growing up in a multicultural city like Los Angeles, I’ve seen the wonders this country holds first-hand. Empathy is key to understanding the struggles of civilians.
Moreover, empathy is necessary for addressing people’s needs. Listening to their problems earns support and praise and actually provides meaningful change. Understanding constituents is the first step to actually addressing problems. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in May, more than a quarter of polled Americans believe our economy is in poor health. Although the job market is healthy right now and unemployment rates are low, Americans still continue to struggle. Empathy is key to understanding why this is the case. Our leader shouldn’t be afraid of exercising an emotional core and speaking to real people, average working-class folks, to understand how to meet their needs.
As a millionaire and former reality TV star, I understand that connecting with people who have to ration their biweekly checks might be like two foreign worlds colliding. I understand that last term, it was mostly other millionaires who benefited from the previous Trump term. However, as an idealist, I truly hope some empathy is stretched to the average American.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Satenik Ayrapetyan
by Fernando Leiva, senior at Ulysses. S Grant High School
Dear Future President,
I am an immigrant.
In 2016 my family left El Salvador for The United States in the hopes of escaping the gang violence that plagued our beautiful Valle de las Hamacas. In the process, we abandoned our home, family, and sense of place.
It was not until I realized the effect graffitied walls had on my psyche that I began to consider my place in the United States, as an immigrant and Latino — words used to demonize a people who were only part of a larger movement in American history: immigration.
Migrants from England established Jamestown in 1607. Alexander Hamilton, founder of the National Bank and advocate for ratifying the Constitution was an immigrant from the Caribbean. Irish immigrants built the Erie Canal in the early 1800s, making New York an industrial power. In California, Chinese migrants lay down tracks for the Transcontinental Railroad. My father, who adorns the yards of affluent people in the hills of our city, will be among the millions of workers to rebuild Los Angeles after a series of devastating fires.
From the strawberries we eat to the millions of construction workers who erect our homes, immigrants in The United States are expected to contribute $7 trillion to the US economy over the next decade through work and taxes.
But immigrants are so much more than workers. We are singers, we are activists, we are writers, and we have grit. And most of all, regardless of the languages we must learn, borders crossed, or lives left behind — we rebuild.
For centuries, the United States has been plagued by anti-immigrant movements, but denying our contributions to this country is to deny American history itself. Will your government be able to recognize this?
At the end of the day, the truth is: we are here to stay.
Expanding naloxone access saves lives
by Aashvi Ravi, The Harker School
Dear President,
The opioid crisis continues to claim thousands of lives across the United States, with nearly 108,000 drug overdose deaths reported in 2022, 76% of which involved opioids like fentanyl, according to the CDC. This crisis worsens due to mental health challenges, with numerous individuals experiencing addiction, pain, and concurrent mental health issues conditions.
While progress is being made, much work remains to reduce fatalities.
State-led programs, like California’s Naloxone Distribution Project, have been a promising response to the opioid crisis. Supplying naloxone, a medication that may save a life if administered in time after overdose, these programs reduce mortality in the most vulnerable groups.
Naloxone, along with fentanyl test strips, is a key tool in addressing the growing prevalence of opioid use, especially in the face of fentanyl-laced substances. California’s approach distributes naloxone nasal sprays to first responders, schools, and community organizations, making significant efforts in combating the epidemic.
Such state-level efforts can serve as a model for a nationwide expansion to reduce the devastating impact of opioid overdoses.
Equally important is expanding education efforts. Education and naloxone training programs, particularly for high school students, can empower individuals to intervene during an overdose crisis, saving lives and reducing the stigma associated with naloxone use. According to researchers from Columbia University, teaching people about naloxone and overdose prevention actually prepares them for emergencies without promoting drug use. By integrating naloxone education into schools, lifesaving skills will be taught to young people, informing them of the dangers of drug misuse.
I urge you to prioritize the expansion of naloxone access and education across the nation to support both prevention and effective intervention in the opioid crisis.
Sincerely,
Aashvi Ravi
by Brandon Chang, junior at West Ranch High School
Dear President Trump,
As the up and rising youth — the researchers, policymakers, and scientists of the future — we find ourselves deeply invested in the direction that your leadership over the coming four years will take America. With the 2024 election behind us, it’s undeniable that doubts of your administration’s ability to address the challenges we face, from education to public health and climate change, have heightened anxiety and fear in the uncertainty that comes with living in a Trump America.
As students, education is fundamental for our future success. As a student from an underprivileged background myself, I see so much possibility in America: but many like me are worried about the affordability of higher education and the growing need for STEM skills in the workforce. We hope to see initiatives that not only improve the quality of our K-12 education but also make college more accessible to students from all backgrounds. How will your administration address these needs? As for pre-college education, I pray you do not cross the fine line between ensuring our parents have control over student mental/physical safety and stripping youth of the right to sensitive and potentially uncomfortable but absolutely necessary, societally formative conversations in the safe setting of classrooms.
That said, we also have no trace of an idea on how you plan to protect our planet for future generations— the status quo pocket-fattening seems a priority given your campaign promises and past legislative action. Will we see more investment in sustainable energy solutions, or can we indeed assume you will egocentrically jeopardize climate for our world after you’re gone with “drill, baby, drill?”
We understand that you face an incredibly challenging role as president, and while we may not always agree on every issue, we hope that you will take the time to listen to the voices of young people across the country. We are the next generation of leaders, and our future is tied to the decisions made today.
Sincerely,
Brandon Chang
by Jenny Marquez, junior at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Dear President Trump,
During the next four years of your presidency, I urge you to focus on the issue of climate change, which is drastically and exponentially affecting the planet we live in. Our nurturing mother nature is dying out and something must be done now to preserve it.
Nature has maintained many living organisms for about 3.7 billion years. Ever since then, life has continued to thrive and flourish to what we know it is today. However, the United States has not done nearly enough to help maintain our only sacred planet.
From the fiery, fierce wildfire flames to the catastrophic, chaotic hurricanes across the globe, climate change contributes significantly to these natural disasters that cause tragic destruction across the world. These tragedies continue to destroy our land ceaselessly, something that must be immediately put to an end.
As president, you must develop new federal policies, laws and guidelines that will help enforce the idea of conservation that scientists have endlessly preached for years to help save our planet. It’s time to not just preach about the importance of conservation but also commit to causing a powerful, positive change to Earth’s future.
We cannot keep ignoring the issue of climate change as it keeps expanding each moment. Our planet is being destroyed every single moment and it’s time to take action before climate change inevitably becomes irreversible in just six years.
With the tragic environmental state of the world, this isn’t just a recommendation but an obligation. President Trump, you can be the change and help save our dear planet dying as the future critically relies on it.
Sincerely,
Jenny Marquez
