By Laalah Zafar February 15, 2026 Youthcast Media Group ® I am constantly overwhelmed with balancing my job, school, and personal life, but when it's finally time for my sneakers to hit the track, all of my worries disappear.  Annandale High School student journalist Laalah Zafar started running on a whim, but now says it has helped her stay focused and deal with everyday stress (Courtesy of Zafar). I decided to join the Falls Church High School track team for fun with my fri

By Gabriela Mejia Tejada and Samantha Reese  January 17, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® American students face a critical decision after high school: Should they attend college right away, or take a gap year to explore other opportunities? For about 60,000 to 70,000 students per year, the answer is a gap year. But as tuition costs continue to rise, the choice has become increasingly complex. Here are five important factors to consider before making your decision. Reflect on goal

By Andrinika Aimable, Isabella Chavez, Bethel Kifle, Alani Schwertfeger and Samuel Wang Youthcast Media Group® Monica-Grace Mukendi was the salutatorian at Fordham High School for the Arts in the Bronx, and participated in extracurriculars. But when she learned that her college career could be threatened because she didn’t qualify for financial aid, she felt betrayed.  Monica-Grace Mukendi “I didn’t think college was in the cards for me,” Mukendi, now 26, said. “We didn’t hav

College graduation rates show far more needs to be done By Kadence Johnson, Divine Savoy, Skyy Branch, Rosana Wahdat, and Hayden Hernly  Youthcast Media Group® When Azzarie Brown, 17, thinks about college, the first feeling that comes to mind isn’t excitement. It’s anxiety.  Azzarie Brown (courtesy of Azzarie) Azzarie, who lives in Southeast Washington and is a senior at Archbishop Carroll High School, dreams of studying computer engineering and film studies at Niagara Univer

For a future doctor, skipping college is impossible. An up-and-coming surgeon can't avoid the years of classes, licensing exams, and internship and residency hours.  But what about an up-and-coming cinematographer? A fine artist? A graphic designer? 

Michelle Collins June 27, 2025  Youthcast Media Group® In a dimly lit gym, the sound of heavy breathing and the slap of sneakers against...

Michelle Collins  June 27, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® Wrestling is no longer just for the boys. In May, Virginia added girls wrestling...

By Eyitemi Odusola, Alanna Nicholson, Piper Mangold, Gabrielle Garcia and Natalie Spina June 27, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® On a Tuesday...

By Rossy Soto, Grace Wang and Amaya Manzano June 10, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® Ever since she started taking lessons at four years old,...

Jason Perloff and Leo Marzigliano June 3, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® Many of the student-athletes who play on the new artificial turf...

By Bethel Kifle, Cindy Tiny, Angel Trevi ño and Lauren Wong May 28, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® This story was posted on The Barbed...

By Noah Lenn, William Holt and Michael Pewett May 28, 2025 Youthcast Media Group® “Airball!” Esaw Ghiorghis, captain of the varsity...

October 21, 2024 By Nicole Cortes, Zioni Moore and Whitney Souffrant Youthcast Media Group ® This story was published in USA Today  on...

October 10, 2024 By Jason Perloff and Leo Marzigliano Youthcast Media Group® Student-athletes in their graduating gowns on the basketball...

October 8, 2024 By Hannah Henderson Youthcast Media Group® This story was published in MindSite News  on October 11, 2024. Hannah...

October 8, 2024 By Morgan Milman and Naomi Thayer Youthcast Media Group®   Alternative schools are not what you might think. They are not...

August 8, 2024 By Zahiya Daniels, Natalie Spina, Eyitemi Odusola, Ericka Otero, and Kayla Pressly Youthcast Media Group ® This story was...

August 5, 2024 By Zahiya Daniels, Toga Mohamed, Eyitemi Odusola, and Elijah Sanford Abdul-Aziz Youthcast Media Group ® This story was...

August 5, 2024 By Paloma Munoz, Rossy Soto, Armani Bailey and Angely Pena-Agramonte Youthcast Media Group® Abigail Soto came home every...

July 23, 2024 By Ste’jonn Gibson, Destiny Clay and Angely Pena-Agramonte Youthcast Media Group ® This story was published in Black News...