Letter-Writing Contest Sparks Student Action

“[W]e often talk about the overwhelming nature of international issues and the challenges of individuals feeling empowered to make a difference … Students comment that [the Local Letters contest] helped them see ways to make a difference and engage with global issues with more purpose and confidence." — Delia P., high school teacher in Kentucky

The Local Letters for Global Change student letter-writing initiative envisions news stories as a starting point for taking informed action, and elevates the voices and ideas of student changemakers. We’re pleased to share the winners of our eighth annual contest, whose letters to decision-makers call attention to problems facing the students' communities, and offer human-centered solutions. The 23 winners respond to all five of the Pulitzer Center’s focus areas, tackling renters’ rights and affordable housing, the environmental impacts of AI data centers, pharmaceutical quality control, and more.

Read their letters to get informed and inspired by their solutions to global challenges.

While we champion the winners, we also celebrate the nearly 1,500 students who participated in the contest. The students explored Pulitzer Center reporting in depth, connected the issues they learned about to their local and personal context, and identified solutions—while also choosing appropriate decision-makers to address in their letters.

In a survey, 96.5% of student participants reported that they increased their understanding of the global issue they wrote about through Local Letters, and 97.9% agreed that journalism can be a useful starting point to take informed action on the issues they care about. More than a third of contest participants responded to an optional survey question asking how they felt inspired to take further action after writing their letters. They shared ideas and plans ranging from doing more research and following the news to changing personal habits, sharing information with others, and getting involved with community organizations.

Education programs plant seeds that grow over years as young people carve out their place in the world. We are glad and grateful to be in community with every student who makes this exercise in news engagement and civic action part of their learning journey, and to the educators who support that learning in their classrooms.

“Our 6th graders enter [the contest] every year. It really is a ‘rite of passage’ that facilitates the transition from elementary to middle school work. They take it so seriously, and I see 8th graders continue to reference the project as they take on greater instances of civic engagement.” — Nate R., middle school teacher in Illinois

With care,

Hannah Berk

Senior Program Manager, K-12 Education

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Student letters reflect the authors’ views. Students choose their own topics and act independently if they decide to share their letters outside the classroom. The Pulitzer Center is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization that does not endorse candidates, parties, or specific legislation. Our publication of student work is for educational purposes.

This message appeared in the February 6, 2026, edition of the Pulitzer Center's weekly newsletter. Subscribe today.