Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost praised students from Zanesville Middle School for their insightful reflections on youth violence. The students participated in the Do the Write Thing program, which encourages seventh- and eighth-graders to analyze the impact of violence in their lives and propose solutions for their communities.

"Once again, Zanesville students were tasked with examining how violence affects their daily lives and offering solutions for reducing it in their community," Yost said.

Launched in Ohio in 2021, the program has expanded to several districts, including Zanesville, where it has provided students a platform for three years to share personal experiences and potentially find catharsis.

This year, 435 seventh- and eighth-graders in the Zanesville City School District submitted essays. The program culminated in an award ceremony at Zanesville Middle School, where 10 students were recognized as finalists.

Zanesville Superintendent Doug Baker highlighted the importance of the students' perspectives in driving positive change within the community.

The Do the Write Thing program, initiated in 1994, has had a significant impact on students nationwide. Yost's office collaborates with the National Campaign to Stop Youth Violence to implement the program in Ohio school districts.