Time Magazine’s Kid(s) of 2020
Sometimes I know that Time magazine will be heavier to read than I want it to be. It does dive deeply into topics, and since this year of 2020 has been so heavy, sometimes I’m just NOT in the mood for more “deep” stuff.
But in this issue I found a few pages that just astounded me. Kids — one is TEN. YEARS. OLD! — who represent the absolute best in humanity, the best their generation has to offer, and they stole my heart.
I found different places you can see who they are, what they’ve done, and why we should all rise up and scream “BRAVO!” or “BRAVA!” Of course, you can also read the magazine, either because you have a subscription or you found it on the newsstand.
I promise you: it’s worth it!
Gitanjali Rao, 15 years old. “Experiments with everything from AI to technology to baking.” Time magazine’s KID OF THE YEAR — https://time.com/5916772/kid-of-the-year-2020/
Tyler Gordon, 14 years old. “Sometimes I can’t talk so I get my words out through my art.” https://abc7news.com/san-jose-teen-paints-joe-biden-portrait-of-kamala-harris-tyler-gordon-art-heirs-to-the-throne/8445261/
Jordon Reeves, 14 years old. “A lot of kids with disabilities have this great design mindset because we grow up problem-solving.” Founder of the nonprofit Born Just Right. https://www.bornjustright.org/our-people/
Bellen Woodard, 10 years old. “My different shades of peaches and browns can hopefully match everyone, including me and my friends and my classmates.” Launched the nonprofit More Than Peach. https://www.morethanpeach.com/
Ian McKenna, 16 years old. “I thought maybe I could start a garden that’s meant solely to help feed these people who are in need.” https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/16-year-old-austinite-named-finalist-for-times-kid-of-the-year/
These kids give me hope that kindness is not a myth, not just a wished-for attribute. It’s alive and well in them and countless others who see a need and find a way to answer the call.
What are your thoughts, friends?
Just interviewed two educators who wrote a very inspiring book along these lines: “When Kids Lead.” Many kids are unencumbered by adult baggage and have great ideas like the ones you profiled. They’re too carefree and innocent to throw barrels in the way of their ideas. Their inner critic hasn’t emerged yet. Too bad it does in us adults.
Thanks for sharing.
Ah, yes, Jeff — that inner critic who lives in each of us. You’re so right: They’re actually too young to have too much baggage, although I can imagine some adults telling them “That’ll never work.” Apparently those five have supportive adults around them!
Kindness is alive and well, Susan. We just need to convince the media we’re more interested in that than we are in hatred, vitriol, and political subterfuge.
Thank you for shining this light.
You’re so welcome, Mark! I love stories like these, especially when we’re seeing KIDS, for goodness sake. I mean, one of them is only 10 years old! Wonder what their next successes will be.