8th Grade Journalism Advocacy Essays 2022
Get to the roots of how this community-centered project came to be
8th graders have been writing and presenting advocacy essays (persuasive essays), to our school since 2016. These essays are judged by 2nd through 7th graders, and the three winners get to donate a grant to their non-profit organization. You may have even judged a past essay yourself. But do you know how and why the 8th graders are tasked with this project?
When I asked Mrs. Meusch (the 7th and 8th grade writing and reading workshop teacher) what her favorite part of the essays is, she replied, “I love seeing students overcoming their fear of conducting an interview, and I also love watching them present.” She also explained she does the essays because she wants her students to know the joy she feels when giving back to the community and she wants them to find organizations they love and care about.
As an 8th grader, I have written an advocacy essay. I definitely did not want to do it, and was totally lost, but Mrs. Meusch’s encouragement and mini lessons helped me write an essay I love.
2022 winners:
- Lucy C.’s “Twisting Fate” about the non-profit Longmeadow Rescue Ranch
- Isabel M.’s “A Change to S.A.V.E.” about non-profit S.A.V.E.
- Macey D.’s “A Life to Remember” about non-profit Kids’ Harbor
