FFRF’s 2024 high school essay honorable mentions
The following are short excerpts from those who earned honorable mention status in the 2024 essay competition.
Jayla Cole
The majority of Gen Z has been passionate about protecting reproductive rights and LGBTQ-plus rights, standing up for equality and social justice, protecting the environment and encouraging positivity of the individual in the face of ridicule. My morals as an atheist reflect these same goals, proving it doesn’t matter what religious beliefs anyone has, we can all come together and agree to better the world despite our differences.
Jayla, 18, is from Colorado Springs, Colo., and attends Colorado College, with plans to major in anthropology and museum studies.
Brietta Chen
Morality and ethics are nuanced subjects and oftentimes cannot be represented solely by right and wrong, but rather by a spectrum of morally gray. Religion, historically, has removed much of this nuanced discussion, painting a black and white image of what is right and wrong based on their religious values.
Brietta, 18, is from Oklahoma City and attends the Georgia Institute of Technology with plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Anushka Chillale
I live for myself without being beholden to a religious entity. I believe that it is powerful to gain strength by trusting in one’s own capabilities rather than depending on a religious entity for hope and fortitude. I admire how secularity reflects the power of self-determination as it highlights the importance of the individual in shaping their own life.
Anushka, 18, is from Frisco, Texas, and attends the University of Michigan and plans to major in biology.
Abrahm Drake
Although, at times, I yearn to have a higher being to rely on and have faith in, I have no doubt I am better off and a better human with my atheistic views. Instead of a god, I turn to community and myself as a way of comfort and guidance and, with that, I feel more complete in the way that I obtain self-actualization.
Abrahm, 18, is from Dickinson, N.D., and attends Dickinson State University and plans to major in nursing.
Ellie Emmelhainz
I realized once I left the private school system that it does not matter what someone’s religious affiliation is — it is simply how they act that matters in the long run. If you act with good morals, it should not matter to anyone how you worship, or do not worship, in your free time.
Ellie, 18, is from Freeville, N.Y., and attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with plans to major in computer science and computer engineering.
Emily Fadgen
To protect the right to religious freedom — including the right to no religion — it is imperative that secular people, many of whom are Gen Z’s “Nones,” utilize their vote to keep government policies nonreligious. In order for the United States to be held true to its founding principles of freedom, it’s imperative that Nones are encouraged to vote.
Emily, 18, is from Menifee, Calif., and attends the University of California Riverside with plans to major in biology.
Tyler Howell
I cannot wait for Gen Z to be a driving force in the United States. It will be up to us to bring morals, inclusivity, diversity and tolerance back into the government. Decisions need to be made not with religious overtones, but with logic, empathy and reason. We are being raised to question the government and not stand for corruption or injustice.
Tyler, 18, is from Fleming Island, Fla., and attends the University of Florida with plans to major in biology.
Sarah Lam
Political candidates have begun incorporating religion into their ideological campaigns, appealing to the older generations who are more likely to be religious voters. As religious identity declines within the younger generations, it is important to recognize the power of voting to ensure the separation of church and state, and to address issues religious believers refuse to acknowledge as real.
Sarah, 18, is from San Francisco and attends UC San Diego, with plans to major in biology.
Samuel Lund
I am proud to be religiously unaffiliated. The religiously affiliated tend to be stuck in tradition and not open to new concepts. Those who are religiously unaffiliated take a more scientific approach to the world.
Samuel, 18, is from Walsenberg, Colo., and attends Colorado State University with plans to major in biomedical sciences.
Jaiden Maltbia
Our right to religious freedom is an American right that does not vary by age. Students deserve the right to attend school without being forced into a religion. The best way to make an impact on our rights is to use our voices and our voting abilities. Using our voices locally can make a difference in the entire world.
Jaiden, 18, is from Lees Summit, Mo., and attends Fisk University, with plans to major in journalism.
T Schiding
Entering elementary school, I noticed numerous fellow children discussed this bizarre, alien pastime that was “church.” There was so much going on in the world around me, so many very real and tangible things to think about, and even in youth I knew that what was ostensibly true took precedent over what couldn’t be proven.
T, 19, is from Reinholds, Pa., and attends West Chester University with plans to major in forensic chemistry and toxicology.
Elijah Shewell
Though there is a growing political movement of Christian nationalists, there is also an up-and-coming generation of nonreligious and minority voices who are ready to take a stand against the Christian nationalist movement. By joining with all allies, the Nones can have more representation to pass legislation to keep our freedom from religion cemented in the fabric of our nation.
Elijah, 18, is from Prince Frederick, Md., and attends St. Mary’s College of Maryland, with plans to major in marine science and biology.
Jacey Tanioka
The people who are removed from religion can shift the focus away from religion by voting for candidates on the basis of their policy agendas rather than those who justify their views and actions with faith. As the values of its citizens change, the country as a whole will move closer to the secular vision it was designed to embody.
Jacey, 18, is from Camas, Wash., and attends Lewis & Clark College with plans to major in psychology.
Aaminah Zeinelabdin
The idea that religious faith is required to be a good person is outdated among many. Because of this shift in thinking, younger voters will vote based on their own moral compass, which will create a greater separation between church and state.
Aaminah, 18, is from San Antonio, Texas, and attends Howard University with plans to major in journalism, film and media.
