Submitted photo Winners of the recent “Do the Write Thing” essay contest at the Rayen Early College Middle School are, from left, Ja’Maya Roland, Jemyla Jones, Kylie-Ann Johnson, Kabrien Williams, Arianna Kaczmark, Yexianis Fontanez, Jaliyah Hughes Cundiff, Isabella Senn, Jayden Martin and Treyvaughn Bowers Belmonte.

YOUNGSTOWN — For Jaliyah Hughes Cundiff, sharing her story was not only therapeutic but award winning.

“I didn’t really have anybody to be there for me,” the Rayen Early College Middle School eighth-grader said. “So, just getting my story out there and letting other people know that I have been through the same thing and that I’m there for them, it really did impact me.”

Jaliyah made her feelings and aspirations known in a winning essay she had written as part of the Youngstown City School District’s “Do the Write Thing” program.The effort is a National Campaign to Stop Violence initiative aimed at exploring the root causes and effects of youth violence while giving students an opportunity to use writing as a means to heal and reflect.

Jayilah was among the 10 Youngstown middle school students selected out of 250 for the program. Their works also earned the praise of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

In addition, her essay, which also mentioned ways to help those battling self-harm, was chosen as the winning one for Youngstown. As a result, Jaliyah will represent the city at the Do the Write Thing National Recognition Week in July in Washington, D.C.

The other nine students who wrote essays depicting challenging situations they have encountered are Jemyla Jones, Ja’Myla Roland and Kylie-Ann Johnson, Rayen Early College Middle School sixth-graders; Kabrien Williams, Early College Middle seventh-grader; Yexianis Fontanez, Arianna Kaczmark, Isabella Senn and Jayden Martin, Early College Middle eighth-graders; and Treyvaughn Bowers Belmonte, a Chaney Middle School eighth-grader.

“It’s clear you’re making waves. Keep pushing forward and speaking out for change. Writing about violence isn’t easy … but your essays were powerful, thoughtful, eye-opening,” Yost said in a video address to the 10 students.

For his part, Jayden heard from fellow students who had been shot at, so he based his entry on the scourge of gang violence.

Earlier this week, the 10 finalists were recognized at an awards ceremony at the B&O Station Banquet Hall, 530 Mahoning Ave. The students’ essays are to be published in a special booklet that will be distributed across Ohio.

“I’m proud of our YCSD scholars for using their voices through the ‘Do the Write Thing’ contest. Their courage and honesty remind us that our young people are not just the future — they are leaders today,” Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said in a statement.

“Do the Write Thing” was created in 1994 to encourage middle school students to write essays in which they explore the impact of youth violence on their lives and communities. The platform also allows the young people to be part of conversations about violence prevention while letting them further foster relationships with teachers and parents, and becoming catalysts for change, according to its website.

Four years ago, Yost’s office began a partnership with the nonprofit National Campaign to Stop Violence. This is the third year for which the Youngstown City School District has participated.

Since 2021, several other districts across the state have joined.