We need more spotlighting on how our younger folks are unwilling to settle for how it's always been. I love the ways they demand that old dogs learn new tricks!
I love this story. Let’s have more. As the mom of two Gen Zs in their early and mid twenties, I see this happening as well. These young people are out serving the world, in my kids case through wildlife biology and early childhood education . We need to meet them where they are and listen. As a Gen X er I remember people saying the same thing about us latch key kids, and we’ve done amazing things as well.
These are such excellent examples of why we don't need to depend on the government to get involved and solve our problems. The kids are proving that they don't need to go out and protest every issue - they are solving the issues themselves. If it's a good idea...it will gain support! This is America!
We don’t need the government to be innovative but the government can and should back these tremendous projects and help deploy them statewide or nationwide.
I really appreciate this story because we don't get enough narratives about young people being engaged and politically active. The cynical takes about apathetic youth get exhausting, so it's refreshing to see coverage that recognizes the energy and commitment that's actually out there.
That said, there's a massive structural problem with translating that energy into actual representation in Congress. The median age in the House is 57.5 years and in the Senate it's nearly 65. An age when most of us are getting ready to retire is where some politicians are hitting the midpoint of their congressional careers. And the turnover is glacial: only about 14% of House members and 12% of Senators elected in 2024 were new faces.
I was just reading about David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve backing a younger candidate in a primary challenge for Steve Cohen's safe Democrat seat in TN. There's zero chance this seat will go to a Republican, but there's a 99% chance that a Democrat unseating this guy will be bringing a better vision for the party's future. Cohen said he felt like the move was a Pearl Harbor against him. Pearl Harbor! These incumbents don't see their seats as positions voters should get to choose, they see them as property that's being attacked.
So while it's great to celebrate youth engagement, we also need to be honest about the fact that the system is heavily designed to keep these bright minds out.
Really appreciated this for pushing back on the tired myth that young people are disengaged. I see the same thing through our work at C&S. So many young people care deeply about their communities and aren’t waiting for permission to act on issues that matter to them. These stories reflect this generation's energy and determination.
We support young people across the country who are creating their own solutions to challenges close to home — from building an SMS chatbot that delivers reliable voting info in rural Louisiana to replacing microplastic glitter with biodegradable options in an Alaska school district. One of the teams you highlighted, New Voters, is part of this group too. If you’re curious, you can see more of the projects they’re leading here:
These stories all brought a smile to my face and happy tears to my eyes. There are some amazing kids doing incredible things in every community, in every state, in the country.
I would love to see this be a weekly feature. It doesn’t all have to be GenZ but a profile of some kind on someone doing the next needed thing. It gives us a shot of hope to read stories of the small and mighty of today.
We need more spotlighting on how our younger folks are unwilling to settle for how it's always been. I love the ways they demand that old dogs learn new tricks!
Absolutely incredible stories! I am in awe of such bright minds working for the good of others.
Don’t worry about kids, empower them, and get out of their way!
I love this story. Let’s have more. As the mom of two Gen Zs in their early and mid twenties, I see this happening as well. These young people are out serving the world, in my kids case through wildlife biology and early childhood education . We need to meet them where they are and listen. As a Gen X er I remember people saying the same thing about us latch key kids, and we’ve done amazing things as well.
This was the best article I have read in forever! Uplifting! Encouraging!
These are such excellent examples of why we don't need to depend on the government to get involved and solve our problems. The kids are proving that they don't need to go out and protest every issue - they are solving the issues themselves. If it's a good idea...it will gain support! This is America!
We don’t need the government to be innovative but the government can and should back these tremendous projects and help deploy them statewide or nationwide.
I really appreciate this story because we don't get enough narratives about young people being engaged and politically active. The cynical takes about apathetic youth get exhausting, so it's refreshing to see coverage that recognizes the energy and commitment that's actually out there.
That said, there's a massive structural problem with translating that energy into actual representation in Congress. The median age in the House is 57.5 years and in the Senate it's nearly 65. An age when most of us are getting ready to retire is where some politicians are hitting the midpoint of their congressional careers. And the turnover is glacial: only about 14% of House members and 12% of Senators elected in 2024 were new faces.
I was just reading about David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve backing a younger candidate in a primary challenge for Steve Cohen's safe Democrat seat in TN. There's zero chance this seat will go to a Republican, but there's a 99% chance that a Democrat unseating this guy will be bringing a better vision for the party's future. Cohen said he felt like the move was a Pearl Harbor against him. Pearl Harbor! These incumbents don't see their seats as positions voters should get to choose, they see them as property that's being attacked.
So while it's great to celebrate youth engagement, we also need to be honest about the fact that the system is heavily designed to keep these bright minds out.
This is so encouraging! How can we help??
Wonderful article!!
Really appreciated this for pushing back on the tired myth that young people are disengaged. I see the same thing through our work at C&S. So many young people care deeply about their communities and aren’t waiting for permission to act on issues that matter to them. These stories reflect this generation's energy and determination.
We support young people across the country who are creating their own solutions to challenges close to home — from building an SMS chatbot that delivers reliable voting info in rural Louisiana to replacing microplastic glitter with biodegradable options in an Alaska school district. One of the teams you highlighted, New Voters, is part of this group too. If you’re curious, you can see more of the projects they’re leading here:
https://citizensandscholars.org/500-gen-zers-named-2025-carnegie-young-leaders/
I love this piece about young people doing great things. We focus so much on what's going wrong that we miss what's going right.
These stories all brought a smile to my face and happy tears to my eyes. There are some amazing kids doing incredible things in every community, in every state, in the country.
I would love to see this be a weekly feature. It doesn’t all have to be GenZ but a profile of some kind on someone doing the next needed thing. It gives us a shot of hope to read stories of the small and mighty of today.
I love this, the kids are alright !
Thank you for highlighting these incredible young people. This gives me hope!
Thank you for this eye-opening; eye-popping piece!! WOW .. GO KIDS!
Really great stories, Casey. Thanks for sharing them with us.