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Skye Dawson(LHS) Poem- Return with Elixir 

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Skye Dawson(LHS) Poem- Return with Elixir 

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I stepped in unsure

feet heavy with doubt

but my heart beating

with determination

Each morning I returned

small choices stacking

stirring, chopping, moving

showing up even when it was hard

Old habits whispered

tempting me back to ease

but I stayed

learning that consistency

is its own quiet power

A breakfast shared

a friend helping me on tired legs

a note of thanks, a hand offered

these became sparks

that lit a bigger fire

I let screens fade

the world slowed

hours stretched

and I felt the rhythm

of presence and patience settle in my chest

This is the elixir I bring

grit wrapped in care

mindful choices turned to habit

small actions shaping everything

I carry it forward

stronger, steady, awake

ready to step in again

because I showed up once

and I can do it again.

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This is the inspirational essay I wrote! Thank you for this opportunity for the Hero’s quest, it’s been fun! 😃

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This is a photo essay I made with pictures and captions next to each photo talking about the challenges and what I've learned. I also wrote my advice to new heros below!

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so for the liberty partnerships hero challenge i decided to do something that was really hard for me and that was a 48 hour digital detox when i was in long island which means i did not use my phone or social media or anything like that for two whole days and at first i thought it was gonna be really hard and boring because i am so used to always having my phone with me and checking it all the time but after a while i actually started to realize that i didnt even need it as much as i thought i did and it actually helped me focus more on what was around me and enjoy the moment more instead of always looking down at a screen and missing things around me and i feel like that was one of the biggest things i learned during the hero challenge

another thing i did during the hero challenge was writing letters to people like my teacher and my principal and that actually felt really good because sometimes we dont tell people how we feel or how much we appreciate them and writing those letters helped me let my feelings out and it also made me feel good knowing that it might make them smile when they read it and i think making other people happy is a really important thing and it also made me feel happy too because i knew i was spreading something positive

i also made a gratitude jar during the hero challenge and that was something i really enjoyed doing because every time i wrote something down that i was thankful for it reminded me that there are actually a lot of good things in life even when things feel stressful or hard sometimes and looking back at those things made me feel more positive and grateful for what i have

another thing that helped me a lot during the hero challenge was going on walks because whenever i was struggling with something or if my mind felt really busy the walks helped me calm down and refresh my mind and just think about things in a better way and sometimes just being outside and moving around can really help you feel better and think clearer

overall i really believe that the liberty partnerships hero challenge is very beneficial and it helped me on a deeper level because it made me think about my habits my mindset and the way i treat others and it helped me grow as a person and learn things about myself and i really think everyone should try this challenge because it can help people in many different ways and i hope that everyone who did the hero challenge was able to learn something from it and grow from the experience just like i did

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Throughout this challenge I learned many new life skills. The main one being gratitude! The idea of gratitude has changed my life for the better! It has taught me a major lesson of perseverance. The last year was a very hard year for me with the loss of my grandpa, yet I learned how to perseverance and push through the hardships. It as well taught me to cherish what I have. The loss of my grandpa was so sudden that it was very hard for my family however we have all learned to be grateful for each other and what we have! This challenge has strengthened me as a person and allowed me to have a better understanding of myself and others! I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this challenge as well as the opportunity to go to summit this year and experience the many opportunities it offers me! I would recommend this to many other people as it comes with many benefits and I wish luck to everyone!

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My advice to future heroes is to never give up on a huge opportunity given to you, and it's good to try something new, even if you assumed its challanging because you never know if it can create an amazing outcome.

I believe in you and believe in yourself

Try your best because you got this!

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I stepped upon a winding road

where quiet doubts and fear once strode,

A hero's quest had called my name

A spark within me became a flame.

The path was steep, and the sky was unclear.

Yet courage grew within every month.

Through trials faced and lessons learned,

A stronger heart within me burned.

Each challenge shaped the soul i found,

like steady drums of battle sound.

Where once i questioned who i'll be,

The journey showed the truth in me .

For every fall i rose once more,

With deeper strength than felt before.

The quest was more than lands to rove

It built the hero inside my home.

And now i walk with a lifted head,

No longer trapped by doubt or dread.

The Quest did more than makes me roam

It gave me faith to stand alone.

A fire of hope now lights my way,\A voice within that dares to say

"I am the strength I look up to see

The hero's quest awakened me."

The Hero's quest made me develop better as a person, and during the hero's quest i learned many different things I never really knew about myself. It made me more motivated to do things which I quickly i assumed would be challenging because it's something I've never done before, but coming from someone who enjoys trying new things i did it anyway, which created an amazing outcome. I love reflecting on myself, and I learned from myself, and during the hero's quest, it is to not be afraid of talking to other people and to believe in yourself, even if it's the smallest thing.

I'm thankful for taking this huge opportunity on the hero's quest because it has helped me understand myself so much better, and I enjoy communicating with other people, reading people's posts, and sometimes even commenting on them too.

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Pushing through when times get tough

Even when they call my bluff

Right away I felt unsure

Sometimes I felt like giving up

Even though I knew it was right

Very often I lie awake at night

Every kind act came with a reward

Righteously so as I felt I scored

And when I noticed change

Now I knew I’d escaped the cage

Changes everywhere

Even new beginnings that felt so fair

I chose to write a poem with each first letter of the lines spelling “perseverance” because I feel it was something difficult to continue with when times got tough. There were definitely some areas I struggled getting through during this challenge but not giving up has certainly paid off. To any new coming Hero’s, I would tell them to continue believing in themself and persevere even when they feel down or like giving up because the rewards that come from this challenge are incredible. It’s an experience that not many people get to have and it can truly change the relationships in your life. I’ve enjoyed this journey and everything that has come along with it and feel that I have become a much more positive person because of it!

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Annabelle Sutter (Nic's EZ Draws for Kids)

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During this hero journey, I've leaned many things about myself that I never knew. Mainly that I shouldn't be wasting my time on useless things, and put more thought into what I do during my day. The lessons I've learned is discipline. Timing what I do, making a schedule, doing productive things. I've grown as a person, and become more open to talking to others and communicating. My advice to future students is to not be afraid of leaving your shell to learn. Use your voice because that's the only way people are going to listen.

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thank you guys so much for such an amazing opportunity i’m forever grateful!

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I didn’t start this journey loud,

I wasn’t bold, I wasn’t proud.

I stood behind the moving crowd,

My doubts spoke sharply, my fears spoke loudly.

I kept my thoughts locked deep inside, let safer choices be my guide.

I let my comfort be my pride,

While bigger dreams I’d push aside.

But something in me wouldn’t rest,

A quiet pull inside my chest.

It whispered, “You were made for the test.

Growth only comes when you’re stretched.”

So I said yes when fear said no,

I chose the path I didn’t know.

And step by step, though walking slowly,

I felt a different version grow.

The miles I walked were more than ground,

They proved that strength can still be found.

In steady breath and silent sound,

In choosing a profound discipline.

Gratitude then changed my sight,

Turned heavy days into something light.

I saw my struggles weren’t a fight

They were preparing me for height.

I learned that leaders aren’t the ones

Who shine like bright and blinding suns.

They’re those who rise when doubt still runs,

Who finishes races they’ve begun.

I learned your voice will sometimes shake,

Your hands will tremble when you take

A stand that feels too big to make,

But speak it anyway. Don’t break.

To future heroes, hear me clearly.

You will feel small. You will feel fear.

Some days your finish won’t feel near,

And quitting whispers in your ear.

But growth is not a single leap,

It’s promises you choose to keep.

It’s waking up when doubt runs deep,

And climbing hills that feel too steep.

Say yes before you feel prepared.

Be brave before you feel declared.

Choose discipline when you’re too scared.

That’s how a real hero is made.

This Quest did not give me a crown.

It did not lift me off the ground.

It simply helped me turn around

And see the strength I’d always found.

I am not perfect. I still grow.

But now there’s something that I know.

The strongest heroes aren’t born that way

They’re built each time they choose to stay.

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Youth Sumit Final Task - Kayden Cousino (1)

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Here’s a picture of the 15 minute walk I did, It was nice to walk out with my friends and just talk. The hardest thing about the December 21 challenges was having to control myself and remember to do all the tasks I was being asked to do. The hardest thing out of all the tasks was the no social media because I’m used to staying up late on my phone. These tasks taught me to have self discipline and to be healthy.

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this is my thank you card for my girlfriend

what I learned from this is the value of thankfulness being thankful for people I am thankful for my girlfriend because she has always been by my side and always helps me throughout the day and makes me super happy

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During the twenty-one days in December I committed to the Hero's Challenge, along the way there were some bumps in the road. The main thing that was most difficult to do had to be taking a brisk walk outdoors. I found this to be the hardest task because it was very cold outside for me and I wanted to stay indoors. I also really wanted to play my video games with my friends becau I completed my homework a little bit ago. At first I wanted to procrastinate and do it at another time (which would have been never). Then I remembered a quote from Kobe Bryant, saying "The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win". This quote made me realize two things. One, the video game would still be there if I took a 15 minute walk outside and two, if I give up, I'm just letting others willingly surpass me. So after letting that sink in, I got out my big jacket, boots and gloves and took a walk outside. Another thing that helped besides the clothes I was wearing is that I went with my cousin, which made it a lot more fun since I was doing it with another person. So in the end, after I realized that I could push my limits, I "walked the talk".

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I successfully completed the challenge throughout December and January. The most difficult part was staying consistent during a busy season, because of Christmas and New years. There were dats I felt tired and wanted to skip the challenges. I overcame myself and reminded myself of the goals. I created a routine and focused on how each activity made me feel. Like the 20 minute yoga helped me feel more relaxed. The experience strengthened my discipline and I prioritized my well bring even during challenging times.

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Throughout December and January I have learned some things from my 21 day Youth Sumit challenges. I have learned that I should be grateful for the time I spend outside and with family. I also learned that it is good to try new things.

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The hardest part of this wellness challenge for me was changing my mindset around food and becoming more intentional with my daily choices. At first, I didn’t realize how much my habits influenced what I craved. Over time, I noticed a shift. When my parents suggested fast food, I wasn’t craving it anymore. Instead, I chose to make a fresh, healthy dinner for myself.

The pictures I submitted show meals that I prepared, including a healthy breakfast combo that I made for my little sister and a dinner I cooked after turning down fast food. Making that breakfast required planning, mindfulness, and effort, and it meant a lot to me that my sister asked for it again afterward. That moment showed me that my choices were not only benefiting me, but also influencing the people around me in a positive way.

While cooking, I stayed present, paid attention to what I was making, and cleaned everything I used afterward instead of rushing. What made this challenge difficult was building consistency and breaking old routines. However, it became rewarding once I noticed my cravings naturally shift toward fresh, healthy foods that made me feel more energized. This challenge taught me that wellness is about creating habits that support both personal growth and care for others.

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The most difficult thing abt this challenge was the 15 min walk.I’m not that lazy I swear,I just found It very hard to walk in the snow and ice but other than that I enjoyed it because it was peaceful to go on a walk by myself and just listen to nature and the sound of cars rolling by.By listening to nature and the sound of cars rolling by on my peaceful walk,it helped me think less about how I was walking in ice and snow and think more about some things in life that I wanna fix or do in this new year.Also just to add in here,I really enjoyed all the activities I did this month for this challenge,especially the meditation because it helped a lot with my stress.

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This is the Thank You card I made for one of my best friends, Gabby.

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During the months of December and January, the most difficult challenge I faced was trying a new fruit and vegetable. This was hard for me because I am a very picky eater and usually like to stick to foods I already know and enjoy. Trying something unfamiliar makes me nervous because I worry about the taste and texture. The new fruit and vegetables I tried were dragon fruit and zucchini. At first, I was very skeptical because I didn’t think I would like either of them. The appearance of dragon fruit especially made me unsure, and I had never eaten zucchini before. However, after I finally tried them, I realized that I had been missing out. The dragon fruit surprised me because it was refreshing and kind of sweet. I ended up rating it an 8/10 because I enjoyed it more than I expected. The zucchini was not my favorite, but it was still better than I thought it would be, so I rated it a 6/10. Completing this challenge helped me step outside of my comfort zone and showed me that trying new foods can be a positive experience. In the future, I hope to be more open-minded about food and continue trying new fruits and vegetables.

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I walked for 15 minutes while it was snowing outside. At first, I thought it would be challenging to go outside because the sidewalks would be wet and slippery, and I was worried I might slip and fall. However, it wasn’t a bad experience after all. The cold air felt refreshing, and the snow made everything around me feel quieter and more peaceful. After feeling stressed for an entire week because of exams🥲 this short walk helped me clear my mind and relax. Being outside, breathing in the fresh air, made me realize how much I needed a break from studying and stressing . Even though it was really cold, the walk felt calming and comforting, and it gave me a sense of relief and balance that I hadn’t felt in days. Although the snow got my shoes wet it didn’t really matter to me because what matters to me is overcoming something that I thought was challenging .

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What I learned from this challenge gratitude tasks is that some of these I do on a regular basis and learning that, that is something I do was great too find out and made me feel better about myself personally. For the other tasks being able to branch out and show how I am grateful towards others was great and being able too see the reaction of that good deed and making someone feel appreciated is really a reward in itself. Overall this challenge was my favorite so far being able too write and have a more creative side too showing gratitude was amazing.

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I have accomplished all eleven gratitude tasks. This is a picture of the task that asked to post a picture of something that makes you smile. I had posted a picture of me and my friends on to my instagram. Doing all of these eleven tasks had really taught me how to show gratitude in many different ways. I had learned to show kindness to others and to help others in need of it. Seeing the smiles on other peoples faces after just talking to them had made me happy in ways I couldn’t imagine. Even hearing people say “thank you” after walking with them or complimenting them had made me feel more accomplished. After writing a thank you card to one of my favorite teachers she loved it so much she started to cry. This made me feel so happy and grateful for this challenge and the opportunity’s it has given me so far. Also making the gratitude playlist had helped me a lot. Listening to the playlist helps me to feel less anxiety and stress when I’m feeling it. I still listen to this playlist at least three times a week. Overall this challenge helped to grow me as a person and create and more supportive and kinder person.

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although I wasn’t able to take a walk outside, i went into my backyard and played with my dogs for 15 minutes. being outside made me think about how grateful i am to have a home with heat and blankets since it was very chilly outside. it not only gave me time to spend quality time with my animals, but it also gave me some time to reflect on some of the things happening in my life. like being grateful for things i have that others may not. the most difficult part of this challenge was having the mindset to stay outside even when i wanted to go inside. i overcame it by starting to think about how much fun my dogs were having and how good being outside for me truly was. i realized that if i started to move around the i would probably warm up so i started to run with them, even though they outran me every time. my brother eventually came out for a couple of minutes to play with the dogs as well, and it was funny watching them. it was a struggle to complete all of the tasks, but overall it was very good for my mental and physical health.

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For this month’s activity i took a brisk walk outdoors as well as completing the other tasks. I more recently took this walk when the weather began to get a little warmer! It allowed me to clear my thoughts and just relax and enjoy my day. I as well took my grandmas dog with me which was fun. Throughout the month i as well completed the other tasks. The one i feel i found as most challenging was the no social media after 6pm. It was difficult for me to complete this as i am constantly on my phone which is something i need to work on. Another task i found particularly challenging was the trying of a new fruit and vegetable. I tried dragonfruit and zucchini. I surprisingly ended up enjoying the dragonfruit, whereas on the other hand I didn’t really like the zucchini. It did not taste as it does in zucchini bread. This task was challenging for me because i am a very picky eater and normally do not try foods out of my comfort zone. I feel like this months tasks were not difficult to complete and Many were eye opening and relaxing. I enjoyed completing this months tasks!

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While focusing on gratitude for an entire month i feel changed! I know feel like i am able to truly appreciate all things big and little in my life! I was most excited for this month’s challenge of gratitude as that is something I struggle with from time to time, but now am extremely thankful for this experience. This is not necessarily just a personal achievement but I can as well share it with others showing them how to view life it a different aspect. During this month I as well unexpectedly lost my grandfather which was extremely hard for me as we were very close, so with my new gratitude skills I feel as though I am able to cherish and truly appreciate the people I have around me! It as well allows me to be able to show my growth and progress and to be able to look back and see that each day is a new opportunity. Gratitude can be shown through many different forms and as well can be interpreted differently. This month was very hard for me but I feel that I managed to be the best I could be for the people around me and that I learned to cherish each day we have. I truly am grateful to have gotten to learn new skills throughout the month of November!

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I just finished this challenge, and it was honestly way harder than I thought it would be. The first part was drinking eight glasses of water every day. This was super tough for me because I usually don't drink that much water at all. I’m used to just having a juice box or something with lunch, so keeping track of eight whole glasses felt like I was constantly running to the kitchen (and the bathroom!). My stomach felt so full of water all the time, but I guess it’s healthy. The other really hard part was the "no social media after 6:00 PM" rule. That was the worst because 6:00 is usually exactly when I finish my homework and chores. Normally, that’s my time to finally relax, hop on my phone, and see what everyone is doing. Not being able to scroll through TikTok or check my messages felt so weird at first. I kept reaching for my phone without even thinking about it! However, I actually learned something cool from this. Since I wasn't on social media, I realized I have a lot of free will to do other things. I found out that if I really want to accomplish a goal, I actually can. For example, I practiced my exercise and learned that I’m actually really good at pushups! I was able to do them very easily, which I didn't expect. Overall it was a long week but I feel pretty proud of myself for sticking to it.

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For the Roads of trial i decided to do a 20 minute yoga stretch to specifically target my back as i suffer from scoliosis. Doing this yoga really helped my back in feeling better but i did face a couple of challenges like back pain and soreness but i still kept going. I learned that health is important and should always be prioritized as it effects your day more that you may realize. I promised. myself thst i would attempt to do stretches / yoga for my back every day so i can see changes !!

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Completed the December 2nd, 15 min brisk walk outdoors it was a bit chilly but I love to go out and get fresh air.

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Today 12/18 I gave 4 people gentle compliments. I told a teacher and one of my peers I liked their hair. I also told 2 of my students in internship that I am proud of them

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Today for my make up day 12/14 I also did 15 sit ups, and 15 squats. These woke me up after having a long day.

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Today for my make up day 12/14 I did a 15 minute walk. I walked around the farm while feeding the animals. I enjoyed looking at the nature and being with the farm animals.

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During the month of gratitude, I learned to appreciate a lot of people and appreciate what was surrounding me. The thing that I most liked about this assignment was writing the thank you note to my friend. I really enjoyed writing and seeing her face when she received the letter. I took pictures and screenshots of the assignments I did and some I didn’t take pictures of since it was in the moment. For example when we had to help someone for 15 minutes, I help my mom do my quince decorations, another one was the story we are greatful for I shared out a story to my group of friends. Lastly was the donating, I got to help people by donating clothes to those who needed it. I went to my closet and took out some things I don’t wear anymore and I gave it to someone who needed it more then me.

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Today for the make up day 12/11, I also did a thank you note to my academic consuler. I enjoy showing my gratitude for others.

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These helped my stress and anxiety levels a lot !

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Today for the make up day, 12/11 I did two Beautiful Boho Meditation sessions, as well as a 20 minute yoga session. I enjoyed this activities as they allowed me to feel calm and spend time with myself!

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This is my playlist that lifts my mood

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This past month I was mainly focusing on being thankful and realized how powerful it could be. As I was recognizing the good things in my life I also noticed how I have change in the way I seen things in a daily basis .Even if it was me doing simply task like helping with my parents.Which help my mood and made me feel better.I have also discovered that showing gratitude not only makes my mood and myself feel better but also makes my relationships with other people stronger.Even when I share my appreciation it helps create a stronger and closer bond that helps make a positive environment.And not only that I realized that practicing gratitude helps me deal with tough challenges which help me grow as a person.This gratitude has made me see how important it is in my everyday life .By reminding me to enjoying the moment and stay strong into hard difficult times .In the end this experience has helped me understand gratitude as a key way to build joy and connections.But mainly this focus on gratitude has made me see how important it is in my everyday life reminding me to enjoy the moment and stay strong. In the end this experience has helped me understand gratitude as a key way to build up my joy and my connection to people.

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This month, I mainly focused on being thankful and found out how powerful it can be. By often recognizing the good things in my life, I noticed a change in how I see things. Even doing simple activities helped me spot and value the little things, which lifted my mood and made me feel better overall. I discovered that showing gratitude not only makes me happier but also makes my relationships with others stronger. When I share my appreciation, it creates closer bonds and helps make a more positive environment. Plus, I realized that practicing gratitude helped me deal with tough challenges which helped me grow as a person.This deliberate focus on gratitude has made me see how important it is in my everyday life, reminding me to enjoy the moment and stay strong. In the end, this experience has helped me understand gratitude as a key way to build joy and connections.But mainly this focus on gratitude has made me see how important it is in my everyday life, reminding me to enjoy the moment and stay strong. In the end, this experience has helped me understand gratitude as a key way to build joy and connections

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This month, while participating in the gratitude activities, I learned that I absolutely adore making my peers smile. I absolutely love showing the people around me how much I appreciate them and why I am so thankful for them. This task was extremely refreshing, and I very much enjoyed getting to make people's days. This month, I also learned that sometimes one kind word or action can mean the world to someone, even if that is not what you intended. This month, I learned that the most important thing in this world is to be thankful for what you have. If you take what you have for granted, then you are guaranteed to be disappointed. I also learned this month that a little kindness goes a long way. This monthThis month has been a transformative journey centered around gratitude and kindness. Engaging in various activities, I discovered my joy in making my peers smile and expressing appreciation for their presence in my life. Witnessing the delight on their faces was incredibly refreshing and fulfilling.

I learned that even a single kind word or gesture can uplift someone’s spirits more than I initially realized. It reinforced the idea that a little kindness can make a significant difference, not just for others but also for my own well-being. Each compliment or small act of generosity created positive ripples in our community.

Additionally, I reflected on the importance of being thankful for what I have, recognizing the dangers of taking blessings for granted. Embracing gratitude as a mindset has cultivated a greater sense of happiness and contentment within me.

This month also taught me to take life day by day, focusing on the good rather than the challenges. Ultimately, these lessons have deepened my understanding of how gratitude and kindness can shape not only my life but also the lives of those around me. I'm committed to carrying this newfound appreciation forward in every interaction and moment., I also learned to take life day by day and focus more on the good in my life than the bad.

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One challenge I am grateful for is moving to New York. When I was in 8th grade we had to move extremely suddenly due to extreme circumstances. This made it difficult to secure a stable place to stay, continue school, and keep in touch with my friends and family. We moved in the middle of the school year so my A+ average dropped to a F because I was not in class. I wasn’t able to see my friends or family, and I lived in a camper for 6 months. Although it was hard I am extremely grateful for our move. If we had not moved here I would have never met my best friend and I would still be living in the toxic environment we left behind. I still miss my grandma and brother but now I get to see them on holidays, and it is much nicer up here. Everyone up here is so kind and there is way less violence. I do miss being able to walk everywhere but I love being surrounded by nature and how quiet it is. Moving to New York was hard but my life is better for it and I am so thankful.

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These are some songs that can always uplift me no matter what mood I’m in.Whether I’m sad,depressed,mad at the world,these songs help me calm down and look at things on a better note.Not only do they uplift me but when I sing them they encourage others to sing and they uplift them as well.Thank you to all the artists who make me happier and make life worth living.Never forget that MUSIC IS LIFE❤️❤️

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This is the thank you letter I wrote to my friend.

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https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgi05pz9ylDZ7VnHV_CBevYDZjoiXC-fj

This is the playlist that I made that makes me feel happy. (P.S. Please don't judge I know I'm weird)

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https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LY5sr0tmEnXCurrVFQztL?si=q2qbiAwrSgOcPXHB43uWSw&pt=a2b1cb65da8d62d9b0f50fca751d27be&pi=OOt2BLrPRcWPk

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what I learned about gratitude for a whole month is to enjoy the little things and the people around you. For example My LPP Teacher Mrs. Measheaw is one of my favorite people that helps me with my work and always knows how to put a smile on my face so I decided to make her a card to show my gratitude she always asks me to go on trips and I've always accepted them and been to almost every trip because I enjoy Mrs. Measheaws advice and wisdom that she gives me and the help I get with my work and she always gets me on topic when I steer off into something else. She always is in contact with my parents to tell them when I do something good or if I do something wrong and she understands me like we have similar likes and dislikes and I make sure that I always try to do my work on time and doing my work correctly. learning about gratitude, with gratitude I learned to appreciate my friends and family.

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What I learned about gratitude for a whole month is that it makes you appreciate the people and things around you. For example, my AP Lit teacher is one of my favourite teachers, and I know sometimes that her students give her a hard time. Making her a card for her birthday shows that I appreciate the things that she does for us as she’s very flexible with dates for assignments, but she has a wonderful personality that makes everyone feel comfortable around her. With gratitude you’re able to understand people more and their struggles, the things that they go through, and comfort them. My friend avoided telling her parents about parent teacher conference because despite her getting decent grades, it’s not enough for her parents. However, I made sure that even if she didn’t exceed her parent’s expectations, we’re here for her and that we will always be there to support and help her. To add on, helping people is one of the things I enjoy the most, and so usually I find myself helping people in school with work, as it not only helps me to learn what the person needs help with, but they are able to understand the material before asking a teacher. One of the other tasks mentioned in the action was to take a photo with someone and smile. While I don’t have photo evidence of the prompts (will do soon), during thanksgiving break I went to the zoo with my cousins and we took photos with each other. These people never fail to make me smile nor laugh, so I am grateful for every moment I get to spend as it could be months before I see them again.

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The reason why I signed up for this challenge is because I wanted to get better at not only doing tasks but to not back down from a challenge. It can be so hard for some people do complete tasks because of distractions, and I want to try to be better in completing tasks on time and learn from my mistakes along the way. Sometimes when I do a challenge, I may not want to complete it because it’s hard or I just forget to finish it. Or sometimes I just fall asleep and forget what the task even was. So it is a challenge I need and want to fix. With this report already being late, it can be a stepping stone for me to learn from my lateness and try to complete all of the other actions on time. It is disappointing to send my call to action a month late, but we can’t dwell on the past nor our faults. Not only will I apply this to the quest, but in everyday life. As accomplishing tasks will make me a better learner and student. Nor will I get lazy and build up assignments where I can’t juggle it all.

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By focusing on gratitude this month, I learned a lot about how important it really is. Throughout the month, I caught myself saying “thank you” more often, even for small things. Doing this helped my relationships because people appreciated it, and it made everyday interactions feel a lot nicer. It honestly surprised me how something so simple could make such a big difference. By the end of the month, I felt like a completely different person. I started to realize how important it is to be grateful for what I have instead of wishing for things I don’t. Paying attention to the good things in my life made me see how lucky I actually am. Even little things, like having supportive friends or a good day at school, started to stand out more. I also noticed that my whole mindset shifted. At the beginning, I used to focus mostly on the negative stuff and what wasn’t going right. But after practicing gratitude all month, I started looking at the positive things first. Instead of thinking about what I was missing, I thought about what I already have. Learning to focus on gratitude helped me feel more positive and happier overall.

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This is a screenshot of the gratitude playlist I made!!

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LANIYAH BROWN Gratitude month and if i spelled your name wrong to bad 

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One thing I have learned from focusing on gratitude this month is how important it is to be truly grateful for everyone and everything around you. Taking even five minutes each day to slow down and appreciate what you have can shift your whole perspective. It makes you realize how supported, loved, and fortunate you really are, even on days that feel difficult.

When I think about the people I’m grateful for this month, I can’t choose just one. My girlfriend, my best friend Emily, and my dad have each made a positive impact on my life in their own unique ways. Emily is someone I can always have a good time with. I can be completely goofy around her without ever feeling embarrassed or judged. She listens, supports me, and brings out the happiest version of myself, and I’ll always be there for her in the same way.

My dad is another person I’m incredibly grateful for. He’s someone I can talk to like he’s my friend, and he always understands me. We have so much in common, and I feel comfortable being myself around him. Honestly, we’re basically the same person, and that connection means a lot to me.

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This month I've been grateful for many things, so much so I've been dedicated to these 11 tasks,

I've written a thank you card to a very nice teacher, handcrafting it myself from just paper.

I've taken a photo of something that made me smile. (insert Photo)

I told 3 people good things about each of them, one person, my teacher Mrs. Guccione, I have, that they are a good teacher, another person, my friend chris, they're a good person, and the third, my mom, that they do their best everyday despite the odds.

A made a gratitude jar and added something every week, Sunday “I’m grateful I have the choice to not eat what I don't want.”, Monday “I’m grateful for mom reminding me to do this.”, Tuesday “I’m Grateful i can combine two of these tasks into the final writing.”, Wednesday “I’m Grateful for good tv shows that prevent me from losing my mind,”, Thursday “I’m Grateful i had to the end of the month to write this.”, Friday “I’m grateful that next month will probably be easier.”, Saturday ”I’m Grateful for being able to enjoy life.”.

A challenge I dealt with in life is other people. I struggle to communicate at times since everyone else is just too loud at times, sometimes intentionally in order to make me feel small and unheard, eventually I had overcome it, even if I still struggle at times.

I also made a playlist of about 5 songs and pieces of music that I've enjoyed. (Once We Get Up There (Hazbin Hotel), Get That Idiot (Jakeneutron), Step On Up (the Living Tombstone), Hear My Hope (Hazbin Hotel), and the music from a FNAF fan game called “Five Nights at Friedrich’s” the music itself is called “finger lakes” its the music for the fifth night in the game.

I made a facebook post about how grateful I am for my mom.

Speaking of, she’s an amazing person who made me who I am today, if she wasn't here I would be a totally different person… I owe everything to her.

I gave away old things to someone who would use those things and enjoy them.

And I spent time with someone to just enjoy time together, that person being my brother Andrew who even when he misunderstands what I say I do enjoy time with him.

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My friend taking a picture of me in the Washington Memorial <3

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Focusing on gratitude for a month helped me see how many meaningful moments I have without noticing them. One of the things I appreciated most was being re-elected as president of my literary club. I gave my speech with confidence and improv, and I congratulated my vice president, secretary, and everyone who ran. It made me grateful for the trust people have in me and the support around me.

Writing a thank-you note to my teachers and peers helped me slow down and recognize the people who lift me up. I am grateful for the opportunities I get outside of school because they give me a chance to think about myself in kind ways and grow.

During a Stage the Change field trip, I invited someone sitting alone to join our group discussion while we shared our experiences for our monologues. It made the moment feel more connected and showed me how small actions can make someone feel included. One of my favorite moments was taking a photo with my friend in Washington, DC. I had an injured knee, and she helped me walk around, which made the memory special.

Making a gratitude playlist with the metal and rock I love reminded me how music keeps me grounded. This month taught me that gratitude is not about big things. It is about noticing the support, kindness, and small moments that shape life.

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Here are some songs that really make me feel much better even when I have a bad day 😄

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1. Wrote a thank you card or note

For this task I wrote three letters. I wrote one to my friend Maya, one to my teacher Mrs. Dean, and one to my principal Mrs. Kissick. I did extra because all of them really help me, and I wanted them to know I appreciate them a lot.

2. Helped someone for 15 minutes without being asked

I helped my grandma bring in all the groceries and put them away. She didn’t ask me, I just did it.

3. Took and posted a picture of something that makes me smile

I posted a picture of my cat because he always acts goofy. My caption said He funny for no reason.

4. Told three people something I appreciate about them

I told my friend he always makes me laugh. I told my brother he always has my back. I told my cousin she’s really nice to everybody.

5. Made a Gratitude Jar for a week

I made a jar out of an old cup and each day I wrote a note like “I’m grateful for my bed,” “I’m grateful for my family,” “I’m grateful for my food,” and things like that.

6. Shared a challenge I’m grateful for

I shared in the Quest group about how I struggled in math last year, but it taught me to ask for help and not give up.

7. Made a gratitude playlist

I made a playlist with 8 songs that make me feel happy and calm, and then I shared it.

8. Thanked someone in a public way

I thanked my wrestling coach on Instagram for always helping me get better.

9. Reflected on someone who changed my life

I wrote about my mom because she pushes me to be better and helps me even when I’m being annoying.

10. Donated something

I donated my old hoodie to my neighbor because he liked it and it doesn’t fit me anymore.

11. Invited someone to lunch or a walk

I invited my friend to walk home with me after school. We talked about random stuff and it was really chill.

This month focusing on gratitude taught me a lot because I don’t normally think about this stuff that deep. Doing all the tasks helped me notice how many people in my life do things for me, and I don’t always say thank you. Writing the letters was the biggest thing for me. I wrote to my friend, my teacher, and my principal, and it made me realize how much they’ve done to help me. When I finished the letters, I felt good because it made me think about how lucky I am.

The Gratitude Jar and telling people what I appreciate about them made my days better too. When you think about good things on purpose, your whole day feels easier. Helping someone without being asked also made me feel proud because it made them smile and that made me happy too. I learned that I have a lot to be grateful for like my family, my friends, my teachers, my pets, and even the hard things I went through. They all helped me grow. Doing this challenge made me see that being grateful isn’t hard, and it makes life way less stressful. I want to keep doing it even after the challenge is over.

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my mom changed my life for the better without her. I wouldn't be here. I liked putting in writing what she's helped me through what she continues to do to let me be my best self. My Mom loves me the way that I can process. I don't like when people touch me. I don't like a lot of things so every day just so she can get her a little bit of affection in I eat at the countertop and she hugs me and some days we have our battles of who loves each other more but I know no one can win. My Mom is there to listen. She's there to give advice, she gives guidance without telling me what exactly to do. She knows that she can't control all of my actions and can't protect me from the world she just guide us not telling what we should and shouldn't do. My Mom has been through a lot. She's a graphic designer now, but she was divorced, and before that she got remarried to my stepdad, she took me and my brother out to the city and we went to see the Rockettes I don't remember any of it because it was around when I couldn't even walk, but she said that I had fun and I believe her even though I don't remember it, she wanted to prove to the world that she didn't need anyone else, but us to prove that she can have fun with us me and my brother we still faced challenges and we still bicker, but I know that she always will love me

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Focusing on gratitude really helped me out with making me think more positive about something. Like the small things in life. The smile someone gives you or the reaction when you gift them something. Focusing on life and a positive attitude really opened up a growth mindset. My progress when I do certain things. I feel less tense these days. My perspective in the happier things had grown as well, I feel more relaxed. I even started to read more. Took on painting as a skill to. I see more of the good in my life, and recognized support that my family gives me. I appreciate every little thing because I know that I've got it good in life. I'm thankful for my parents and siblings. The roof over my head. Focusing on gratitude for a month has been a very good experience for me.

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The Eleven Gratitude Task - Proof for Each Task

1. Sent I sent my friend a text telling them how I'm thankful for him

2. Made Thanksgiving cards for people at nursing home

3. I took a photo of my dog, Finn. He makes me smile.

4. Made Thanksgiving cards for my teacher w/gift cards

5. Please see photo of my gratitude jar.

6. So my story about a challenge that I faced that I'm grateful for was when I earned my Swimming merit badge. Over the summer, my troop and I went to a summer camp where we stayed for the whole week. At this camp, we all previously signed up to do merit badges and one of those that I signed up for was the Swimming merit badge. When we first got there, everybody had to do a swim test, no matter what you badges were. To summarize it, I failed the swimming test because I underestimated it and had to be put into a swim class for beginners. Eventually, I passed the swim test and was finally able to take the Swimming merit badge class for the rest of the week. At the end of the week we took a swimming test that was like the first one we took at the beginning of the week, but longer. It took forever, but I persevered through it and passed. At the end of camp, I earned the most merit badges (6) in my troop, including the Swimming merit badge. I am grateful for this challenge because in the end, I ended up not only having fun but I am now closer to reaching my goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

7. Made gratitude playlist consisting of 6 songs

8. My scout troop and I went to a nursing home to thank the veterans on veterans day

9. Jesus changed my life for the better by giving me peace, guidance, and a sense of purpose. I never feel alone because I know that Jesus will be with me all the time. I truly appreciate what he has done for me.

10. Gave my younger cousin clothes that I no longer want/use

11. I invited my other cousin to help me build a lego set

Reflection on What I Learned By Focusing on Gratitude for a month.

Over the past month, focusing on gratitude has changed the way I see my life and the people around me. At first, it felt simple—just listing things I was thankful for each day. But as the days went on, I started to notice how much this mindset affected my attitude, my relationships, and even my stress. I realized that gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect; it’s about paying attention to what is good, even when life gets complicated.

By looking for positive moments, I began to appreciate small things I had ignored before: a good conversation, a quiet moment, or someone checking in on me. I also learned that gratitude makes me more patient with others. When I focus on what people do for me instead of what they don’t, I understand them better and feel more connected.

Another important lesson I discovered is how gratitude changes my mood. On days when I felt overwhelmed, stopping to think about what I was thankful for helped me calm down and put things into perspective. It reminded me that even hard days have something valuable in them.

Overall, spending a month practicing gratitude taught me to slow down, appreciate the present, and see my life with a more hopeful mindset.

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The Eleven Gratitude Task - Proof for Each Task

1. Sent I sent my friend a text telling them how I'm thankful for him

2. Made Thanksgiving cards for people at nursing home

3. I took a photo of my dog, Finn. He makes me smile.

4. Made Thanksgiving cards for my teacher w/gift cards

5. Please see photo of my gratitude jar.

6. So my story about a challenge that I faced that I'm grateful for was when I earned my Swimming merit badge. Over the summer, my troop and I went to a summer camp where we stayed for the whole week. At this camp, we all previously signed up to do merit badges and one of those that I signed up for was the Swimming merit badge. When we first got there, everybody had to do a swim test, no matter what you badges were. To summarize it, I failed the swimming test because I underestimated it and had to be put into a swim class for beginners. Eventually, I passed the swim test and was finally able to take the Swimming merit badge class for the rest of the week. At the end of the week we took a swimming test that was like the first one we took at the beginning of the week, but longer. It took forever, but I persevered through it and passed. At the end of camp, I earned the most merit badges (6) in my troop, including the Swimming merit badge. I am grateful for this challenge because in the end, I ended up not only having fun but I am now closer to reaching my goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

7. Made gratitude playlist consisting of 6 songs

8. My scout troop and I went to a nursing home to thank the veterans on veterans day

9. Jesus changed my life for the better by giving me peace, guidance, and a sense of purpose. I never feel alone because I know that Jesus will be with me all the time. I truly appreciate what he has done for me.

10. Gave my younger cousin clothes that I no longer want/use

11. I invited my other cousin to help me build a lego set

Reflection on What I Learned By Focusing on Gratitude for a month.

Over the past month, focusing on gratitude has changed the way I see my life and the people around me. At first, it felt simple—just listing things I was thankful for each day. But as the days went on, I started to notice how much this mindset affected my attitude, my relationships, and even my stress. I realized that gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect; it’s about paying attention to what is good, even when life gets complicated.

By looking for positive moments, I began to appreciate small things I had ignored before: a good conversation, a quiet moment, or someone checking in on me. I also learned that gratitude makes me more patient with others. When I focus on what people do for me instead of what they don’t, I understand them better and feel more connected.

Another important lesson I discovered is how gratitude changes my mood. On days when I felt overwhelmed, stopping to think about what I was thankful for helped me calm down and put things into perspective. It reminded me that even hard days have something valuable in them.

Overall, spending a month practicing gratitude taught me to slow down, appreciate the present, and see my life with a more hopeful mindset.

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Over the past month, focusing on gratitude has changed the way I see my life and the people around me. At first, it felt simple—just listing things I was thankful for each day. But as the days went on, I started to notice how much this mindset affected my attitude, my relationships, and even my stress. I realized that gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect; it’s about paying attention to what is good, even when life gets complicated.

By looking for positive moments, I began to appreciate small things I had ignored before: a good conversation, a quiet moment, or someone checking in on me. I also learned that gratitude makes me more patient with others. When I focus on what people do for me instead of what they don’t, I understand them better and feel more connected.

Another important lesson I discovered is how gratitude changes my mood. On days when I felt overwhelmed, stopping to think about what I was thankful for helped me calm down and put things into perspective. It reminded me that even hard days have something valuable in them.

Overall, spending a month practicing gratitude taught me to slow down, appreciate the present, and see my life with a more hopeful mindset.

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One person who changed my life for the better was my old middle school teacher named Mr Santana,he shaped the way I approach challenges, taught me to stay patient with myself, and reminded me that growth takes time.He would be a type of person to make the classroom a safe place even when days aren’t understandable.He would always notices me when I’m feeling under the weather and always makes me smile by his humorous self.He changed myself to the better by his encouragement helped me believed in myself when I felt my confidence was shaky,he pushed me strengths that I didn’t realized I have.The advices and lectures he gave me shaped the way I approach challenges, taught me to stay patient with myself, and reminded me that growth takes time.Because of him I started carrying myself with an purpose and hope.Even till now I still see his kindness and guidance set me on a better path,which I am forever grateful for today.This is how he changed my life for the better with everything he taught me.

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A few weeks before our Thanksgiving break I wrote a thank you note to a teacher who completely changed my view on school. I feel like she finally deserved to know that she’s the reason I am taking the path i’ve chosen .

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This is my gratitude jar that I did last week.

For the things i’m grateful for I put…

1. My cat Gemini - Monday

2. My Cheer friends - Tuesday

3. Mrs. Ruberti - Wenesday

4. BOCES - Thursday

5. The show Riverdale- Friday

6. Mr. Bason - Saturday

7. Coach Erica - Sunday

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I give 3 compliments today

1. Thank you, you’re an amazing teacher - Mrs.Ruberti

2. I like your hair - A friend Savanna

3. I like your outfit - A friend Rylee

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For this months task i decided to write letters to 2 of my closest friends and my teachers + ms yohanna , my tutor and my best friends mom i decided to do this because since this month is all about gratitude and showing appreciation doing letters is a way how to. The thought of putting a smile on people’s faces really brought me joy into doing this. I’m around so much people who do so much for me and show true care for me and i feel like it’s only righy to show thrm the same type of love and support. I’m really grateful for LPP and all they do for me and the support they bring me with tutoring and many events they make me feel seen and i couldn’t be more grateful. My teachers at my school also make me feel seen and are all amazing and kind souls who deserve the world and more. They’ve all helped me in so much ways and changed my lives and my perspective on how i view things if i can give these people more i really would because i truly appreciate them so much.

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One person who changed my life for the better is my earth and space science teacher Mrs Remington. She has taught me to never give up and reach for the goals I wish to achieve with ought hesitation and I love her dearly.

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The one person i am thankful for is my mom and i made her a handmade card to show my appreciation and she was happy and it made her day and then she wrote something back to me when i wasn't expecting it

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Someone who changed my life for the better would be my BOCES teacher Mrs.Ruberti. The reason I say this is because she has helped me learn that I can take on any challenge. I have always found change to be sort of a scary thing which is intimidating. However, Mrs. Ruberti changed this for me in a way that has caused me to grow as a person. Trying new things is hard for me, but she had me try an internship in a 611 classroom. In this classroom I have learned that children with behavioral issues just need to be noticed and know that you care about them. They are far from scary and have the sweetest souls out of anyone I've ever met.

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Focusing on gratitude for a month taught me that small actions can completely shift how I feel about my day, the people around me, and even myself. At first, the tasks felt simple but the more I completed them, the more I realized how much I had overlooked the positive things in my life. Slowing down and actually acknowledging them made a real difference in my mood and mindset. The task I chose to highlight was writing a thank you card. When I sat down to do it, I realized how rarely I actually pause to show appreciation, even for people who help me all the time. Writing the card made me think deeply about why that person mattered and how their actions impacted me. That small moment of expressing gratitude reminded me that kindness deserves to be recognized not just felt quietly. Throughout the month gratitude helped me look at challenges differently. Instead of focusing on what was stressful or annoying, I started paying attention to the things I still had support, strength, and people who cared. It taught me to be more mindful, more patient, and more appreciative. Overall, practicing gratitude made me feel lighter, more grounded, and more connected to the people around me

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One challenge I am grateful for is the “write a thank you card or note to a teacher…”. I chose to write my thank you card to my athletic trainer, Lauren, because she has helped me so much. In the beginning of the season I got injured and she made sure I got into the doctor’s office quick, and she helped me do rehab and heal faster.

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After focusing on gratitude for a month, I feel like a whole new person. I never realized how much I have that others may not, and how much more I need to express how grateful for everything I am. I have amazing friends, I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and clothes on my back. Even when I was upset I tried my best to think about good things like if my mom was yelling at me for not doing chores, I would think, “I’m glad that I get the privilege to show to my mom that I can be responsible”. When I would feed the animals instead of being lazy and complaining about doing it, I would say, “I’m glad I get to have these awesome companions by my side daily”. I think a lot of the people around me noticed that I was much more observant and kind. I asked my family and friends to spend some time with me too, because in the blink of an eye, it could be gone. Everyone always says to cherish what you have while you have it, and I think many people brush it off or don’t take it seriously, including myself. From this challenge I noticed how lucky I am and how I should pay more attention to things other than social media and truly cherish what I’ve got.

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11/17/2025

Today I am writing about a challenge I am grateful for. I am grateful that I challenged my confidence. When I first entered High School I was very discouraged and unconfident. The school was bigger, and I felt like everyone else was so much better than me. Not just better than me in general, but on a confidence level. In my 11th Grade year I started competitive cheer here at my high school. At first I was super nervous, some of the girls were much more advanced than what I was. The first time I performed I felt as if I would do absolutely terrible. I had made a few mistakes then the least, but I felt my confidence grow over time. Competitive cheer has built me as an athlete. I am now in my senior year and have gained confidence in Competitive and Football cheer. Above is a picture of me and my teammates at my first, but last time cheering at football game.

Sincerely,

Kayden Cousino

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48-Hour Digital Detox — Journal Entry

Day 1 - Oct. 25, 2025

It’s Saturday. I woke up this morning and instinctively walked to my desk to pick up my phone and I didn’t see it there. For a second, I forgot I was doing this detox. I felt this weird mix of panic and emptiness. Then I remembered I told my mom to put the phone away for me. It’s unsettling how automatic that reach has become.

The first half of the day felt slow, almost awkward. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Normally I fill every tiny gap with noise, checking messages, scrolling, watching something on YouTube, and texting friends. I kept catching myself looking for my phone.

Physically, though, I noticed a difference by the afternoon. My eyes felt less strained, and my shoulders weren’t as tense as they usually are from leaning over screens. I took a walk with my mom just to get out of my own head, and it was the first time in a long time that I actually paid attention to things like the sound of leaves or how cold the air felt. It grounded me more than I expected. It was fun to just walk and talk to my mom. We laughed a lot together during that time and made me realize how much I miss just talking with her.

By evening, the discomfort started to give way to something more peaceful. I played with my little brother and helped my mom feed my baby sister. My mind wasn’t racing as much and I didn’t feel the usual pull to check anything. It was quiet, strange, but comforting.

Day 2 - Oct. 26, 2025

It's Sunday. This morning was different. I didn’t wake up with that automatic urge to reach for my phone. Instead, I laid there for a few minutes, actually noticing how rested I felt. My sleep was deeper, and I didn’t wake up in the middle of the night either.

Mentally, today felt clearer. I felt more present in every small thing. Made breakfast for myself, did a load of laundry, and finished up my journal entries. There wasn’t this constant background buzz of notifications or the pressure to respond or stay updated. It was like my mind finally had room to breathe and chill.

But there were emotional moments too. I realized how often I use my devices to avoid certain feelings; boredom, loneliness, even stress. Without the distraction, some of those emotions floated up, and I had to sit with them. It wasn’t easy, but it felt honest.

As the 48 hours came to an end, I noticed something surprising: I didn’t miss my screens as much as I thought I would. I missed specific things, talking to people I care about that are not here next to me, music, but not the endless scrolling or the constant need to check in. There was a quiet freedom in stepping away, even temporarily.

Now, on the other side of it, I feel lighter. More connected to myself. More aware of how much mental space I’ve been giving away without noticing. This detox didn’t magically fix everything, but it reminded me what it feels like to slow down, to truly be present, and that alone made it worth it. And realizing that being present with my family was important and necessary for me. This Challenge actually inspired my family and we’ve decided to do a 24 hour digital detox together every month.

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48-Hour Digital Detox: Personal Reflection

For 48 hours, I stepped away from my phone, laptop, and every digital distraction that usually fills my day.  I also did this during the weekend because unfortunately using a laptop or anything digital is necessary for school and meetings these days. Going into it, I expected it to feel inconvenient—but I didn’t expect how deeply it would affect me both physically and mentally.

Physically, the change was almost immediate. Without constant screen time, my eyes felt more relaxed. I hadn’t realized how often I squint at bright screens or shift my posture to look at notifications. I actually slept better and woke up feeling rested without the usual urge to reach for my phone. There was a calmness in doing simple things—making breakfast, helping my mom with things around the house, playing with my little siblings. My little brother who’s 4 years old was so happy that I spent time with him. Usually I would ignore him because I would be so consumed being on my phone or laptop. I got to sit with my dad and have a bible study with him which made me feel so happy.

Mentally, the detox brought both discomfort and clarity. The first several hours felt strange; I reached for my phone out of pure habit, almost like a reflex. Or I’d walk to my computer instinctively to check emails or watch YouTube videos. I hadn’t realized how much I depend on digital stimulation to fill every quiet moment. But as the hours passed, the mental chatter softened. I felt more focused, more present, and more grounded. I noticed my mood stabilizing. I prayed, had time to finish drawings I left undone during the summer and read to my little siblings. There was a sense of freedom in knowing that I didn’t have to respond to anything—or be reachable at all.

By the end of the 48 hours, I felt a renewed sense of balance. Stepping away from screens wasn’t just a break from technology; it was a break from the pace and pressure that come with it. The silence and stillness gave me room to reconnect with myself and my family. I realized how important it is to take intentional pauses from the digital world.

Overall, the 48 hour detox reminded me that while technology is incredibly useful, it often pulls me out of the present moment. These two days brought me back to it.

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One person who changed my life for the better was my cousin Richard, he does so much for me! He is always bringing me to many different places and he is always able to bring my mood up! He is like a older brother to me and I am very grateful to have him in my life! I am so thankful that he lives around here and is able to do all different things for and with me!

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A story about a challenge im grateful for is when I moved. I moved when I was in third grade and I am very glad I did. If i would not have i would have met all of my friends as well as Tracy who I am extremely grateful for! I am so glad to have moved when I did. It was a challenge because moving to a new school can be difficult but now it has been very rewarding!

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This is something that makes me smile

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Nicolas Sutter

48-Hour Digital Detox Reflection

Day 1 – Morning

When I woke up, the first thing I did was reach for my phone, and then I remembered I couldn’t use it. It felt weird and kind of annoying. I didn’t realize how automatic it was. Breakfast felt super quiet without a video or music playing, but after a while I actually kind of liked the peaceful feeling.

Day 1 – Afternoon

I kept thinking maybe someone texted me, even though I knew they probably didn’t. I went for a walk and noticed stuff I usually ignore, like birds and the wind and even how loud cars sound. I felt bored sometimes, but also calmer. I wasn’t thinking about what I was missing online.

Day 1 – Evening

With no screens, I had to find other things to do. I read, helped around the house, and actually talked to my family more. It was weird how much we usually look at screens while talking. I felt tired earlier than usual and went to bed earlier. I slept really well.

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Day 2 – Morning

I didn’t feel as stressed waking up. The habit of grabbing my phone was still there, but not as strong. I made breakfast and just relaxed. My mind felt lighter without checking stuff all the time.

Day 2 – Afternoon

I felt more productive. I cleaned my room and did some homework without getting distracted every two minutes. I was still bored sometimes, but I started getting creative, like doodling and planning stuff in my notebook. I wasn’t rushing through things like I usually do.

Day 2 – Evening

By the last night, I kind of forgot about my phone for a while. I felt calm. When I thought about turning everything back on, I realized most notifications probably weren’t going to be that important anyway.

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What I Learned

• I check my phone out of habit a LOT.

• Being offline made me feel calmer and less stressed.

• Life feels slower, but in a good way.

• Talking to people in real life felt more real and less distracted.

• Boredom isn’t bad — sometimes it helped me think and be creative.

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Conclusion

At first, the digital detox was annoying and boring, but after a while, I actually liked it. I felt more relaxed and present. I want to try doing shorter screen-free times during the week now, especially in the morning and before bed. I learned I don’t need my phone as much as I thought.

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I had an amazing time taking a break and walking through the woods

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I walked this with my best friend and had an amazing time we stopped and got drinks from 7 brew and had a nice time together

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My name is Kayden Cousino, and I did the social media detox. The reason I decided to do this was because usually on the weekends I spend time doing what we call doom scrolling. However, this Friday and Saturday I decided to stay off of social media and try to do other entertaining things. At first before the challenge I was nervous I might pick up my phone, wanting to text family and friends. However, I jumped right in. During this 48 hour detox, I took time to read books, such as "Picking Daisy's on Sundays. This challenged helped me realize how much I really do enjoy reading, and that I should spend more time doing so.

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During my 48-hour digital detox, I realized how much I could actually get done without constantly being on my phone. Even though I am currently injured and on crutches, I still managed to do a lot. On the first day, I woke up really early and decided to be productive. I cleaned the bathroom, went to the gym, made breakfast for my sister and me, and even went outside to get some fresh air, all without any distractions from social media. It felt good to just do things without thinking about my phone or what everyone else was doing.

Throughout the week, I noticed how much more focused I was. I didn’t procrastinate on my homework after school like I usually do, and I started reading for hours before dinner and bed. After the first 24 hours, I didn’t even feel like I needed to check social media anymore. My mind felt calmer, and I was more aware of what was happening around me instead of online, especially in school.

Doing this detox showed me that I can be productive, peaceful, and really present without my phone. I felt proud of myself for how much I accomplished and how much better I felt overall. I’m glad I was able to participate in this challenge and can’t wait to keep moving forward.

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Coming into this challenge I knew that the “48 hour digital detox” was something I needed to do, and it is something most people could use to.

When I did the challenge I didn’t use my phone at all, and in the beginning it felt like a punishment but it really helped me with my sleep schedule, by not having my phone for a bit it made it easier to go to sleep at night getting rid of that distraction of a phone in your face.

It changed my way I think about sleep forever it helped my school attitude too and made me feel like I could really do any and all of the work that was given to me.

During the time without my phone or any gaming, as mentioned, I did feel as it was a little harsh and and coming back to it made me feel like I had to readjust, especially when it came to games. I fell behind a lot because you really gotta stay on top of that stuff, but after a bit starting to realize I need to be that way with my work so I did everything I could to get my work done and push my grade up and I got some really good test scores after a good while of studying, and even after the challenge was over, I tried to keep these habits. I’ve learned with me.

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Hi, my name is Amani Tanksley. I'm 16 years old and I go to Amsterdam High School. The social media detox is a challenge  I chose, which was simple no difficult at the start because  I hadn't though that I had much self-control, but this challenge really helped me to push myself to not be on social media and video games.

The other activities I chose to do instead of being on social media was arts and crafts, focusing on my work in college and high school, since I am in smart scholars also focusing on my band class music, my drama club, which takes up most of my time. This challenge really help me to realize that being on social media can be beneficial because you can socialize more with people in your after school activities, It could help you  to have more hobbies that interest you and I found it to be very refreshing to not be on my phone and having to text people through my phone all the time without having a problem such as staying on it for a very long time and then realizing what time it is instead of thinking about the things I could be doing like cleaning up a little, which I have been doing during the detox this challenge helped me to realize that social media isn't as important because you can focus on many other things like socializing and making sure you prioritizing the more important things like schoolwork maybe it's like personal stuff at home and it could help you to think more about yourself and your self-care, which I found very interesting because I usually am addicted to my phone, and my self-control is very strong. It really impressed me and made me feel proud of myself so I'm glad that I did this social media detox.

It made me feel really good about myself. Thank you.

((Sorry I was late, ive been busy recently!))

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Going forty-eight hours without gaming was quite a challenge for me. As I'm used to gaming on any device any time of the week. But I decided to do this during my week of midterms as it would allow me to study for these tests. Even though I've thought about going back to play on my console, it was a mental battle to overcome the urge of not getting distracted and study for the midterms. I have a really habit of getting distracted and not completing my work on time. So it turned out to be a great chance at my focus in doing more work for any of my classes so that I could catch up. Plus the tests were quite easier than I expected, but if I fail them, that's okay as I have more opportunities to get better and retake my midterms to be the best scholar I can. However I did keep thinking about playing video games and try to snag some time but fortunately, my brother took up all of my time to game which helped me not to consume my eagerness to do so. So in conclusion, no gaming allowed me to be more focus in the things I needed to be in order to succeed.

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I went on the 3 mile walk!At first I felt a little lazy doing it but after a while I started to feel more motivated to keep going. On the 3 mile walk I was listening to music, it also gave me some time to think and reflect on some stuff. During the walk I saw some cool houses because of Halloween. I also saw one of my friends! I didn’t know how to document the walk so I took a picture during the walk lol. After the walk was over I felt like I had a lot of energy and was more motivated to getting things done. My favorite thing about the walk was getting to see the houses decorated and getting some time to myself.

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I walked 3 miles while trick or treating i dont have app to show the steps but on i hope everyone has a happy Halloween

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Hello my name is Rehema and I choose the 3 mile walk. I knew this would be difficult especially with my asthma and other medical issues however I still wanted to complete it. I went from my high school to Coiled the salon, then I went to market 32, and then I went to Stewart's. Unfortunately my phone needed wifi to work properly this past month so I could not track it as much as I would have liked to.

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For this part of the quest I had decided to do the 3 miles, mainly because it was more achievable but also because it's more of an impact on me compared to a digital detox for 48 hours. I also chose this because I'm not the most physically active so I thought walking for a long while would be a good idea, there's also that everyone else in the house goes to the gym often, so those effected my decision. Another reason I picked the 3 miles is because I determined walking on a treadmill for hours would be more preferable to days without any technology, which in of itself would've been impossible because of the technology at school that I must use to get through the day. However, It was more challenging than I initially expected but it was definitely worth the exhaustion. I also decided it was worth it because it likely helped with some of my physical issues, even in a small way. This experience has also inspired me to start going to the gym a bit more often. As I felt a bit better with myself once I recovered from the physical exhaustion. In conclusion that is why I had chosen the 3 miles rather than the 48 hour digital detox.

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I chose to do the 48 hour detox. I had my mom take my phone for two days so I couldn't access it. During the time I had no cellular device I learned that I am very addicted to my phone, started catching up on school work, and started reading a new book. I realized how negative of an effect social media has on me and what it does to my mood. I started to miss talking to my friends but in all reality it's just like being at school with my phone in the yondr pouch, which made it easier. I spent most of my time reading and really enjoyed it. I even spent time with my little brother, which I don't do as much because sometimes we struggle to get along.

It really meant a lot to me to be able to spend that time with him because I know I'm a role model in his life and I think us having a good relationship is crucial. With my school work, I was able to bring my grades up to where I wanted them to be because I prioritized that over scrolling aimlessly on my phone. Even though I didn't have my phone, I was still able to find alternative ways to occupy my time and in much healthier ways! I found that it was extremely important to do this because it not only got me out of my shell but also started improving relationships with the people I love most.

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While crossing the threshold during the three-mile hike, I learned that nature’s presence is something that shouldn't be taken for granted. Before this experience, I disliked the outdoors and preferred staying on my phone. However, the hike changed my perspective. During our hike, we went on a short 0.6 mile trail. The trail was filled with beautiful scenes of water, trees, and many animals. It felt peaceful and refreshing, unlike the constant noise of technology. As we got further into the hike, I began to appreciate the quiet and the beauty around me. For example, the cooling fall wind, the colorful leaves falling from the trees, and the sunlight shining through the leaves. I realized how much I missed when I focused only on my phone. By the end of the hike, I felt calm and refreshed. This experience taught me that nature can reduce stress and help me reconnect with myself. Now, I see the outdoors not as something to avoid, but as a way to find peace and balance. I hope to spend more time outside in the future, exploring new trails and enjoying the simple beauty that nature offers. It reminded me that sometimes the best way to clear your mind is to step away from technology and just breathe.

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For this month of the hero’s quest i chose to do the 3 mile long hike. The hike took over an hour and I enjoyed it all. It was very refreshing to see all of the different scenery and experience nature. I went with Tracy, Macey, and Aalyiah and it was so much fun! We got to see all different animals such as squirrels and chipmunks, and experienced many different things. We went off trail onto a “wetland” trail and that was so much fun! Me and Aalyiah led the way for the majority and got to take it all in. We got to see trees, ponds, and maybe other plants. We saw many different people and encountered their lifestyles and how they go about their days and what they do on hikes. Once we were on this trail for about 15 minutes we realized we were most likely lost and needed to get back onto the main trail. We eventually began to see the end of the path and Aalyiah and Macey began to run. Me and Tracy as well then started to and I ran into a tree root on the ground and jammed my toe. It ended up being that my big toe is now broken and I have to go to the podiatrist.

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Hi my name is Aubrey Newton I had ran 3 miles to complete the challenge. When I decided to take this challenge I had realized how much of a struggle it would be. I had group from my school go on the three mile hike but I was not able to make it. After my practice I had to go home and do it all on my own. The first mile I felt great and it made me feel accomplished. But toward the second mile I started to feel super tired. I had realized how much of a challenge this would really be. But I continued with the third mile. After I finished it made me feel so accomplished. It made me feel so good that I finished the task. The miles had really taught me how to step out of my comfort zone. I don’t run very often and I only work out during my practices. The miles were also hard for me because of my asthma. The miles taught me how to have a lot more stamina. I feel that now during practice I will be able to do the full workout without being winded. I’m super proud of myself and I’m so excited to be able to be apart of this and be able to do the next challenges.