Willow Farquhar selected as winner of the Middle School Student Sound Off
For Immediate Release
May 2, 2023
What’s it really like being a middle schooler in 2023? Hundreds of students from around the world shared their thoughts on the question, responding to AMLE’s Middle School Sound Off contest held to mark March as Middle Level Education Month. While “sounding off,” students could consider a variety of prompts for inspiration but were encouraged to tap into their creativity and choose a format that most appealed to them. The submissions were profound, offering keen insights into the post-COVID middle grades experience.
The winning submission came from Willow Farquhar, an 8th grader at Park Ridge Jr./Sr. High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey. Willow’s original song, “Contest,” explored the social dynamics of middle school and the impact that ever-present popularity contests can have over group dynamics during these formative years. Her submission stood out both for the skill she demonstrated in her chosen medium but also for the thoughtful perspective she brought to such a ubiquitous middle grades occurrence. Her sponsoring teacher, Patricia McClair, was unsurprised by Willow’s accomplishment. “I knew her talents from our English class and the Middle School Drama, which I helped to direct,” she said, “However, what was surprising is the emotional maturity and lyrical style of her song. Congratulations, Willow!”
Willow’s submission is being recognized along with 6 additional finalists and more than a dozen honorable mentions representing a wide range of mediums including music, poetry, essays, art, podcasting, and videos. The recognized students include:
Finalists
- Trevor Plattel, Grade 8, Park Ridge Jr./Sr. High School
- Laila Hayes, Grade 7, Walker Mill Middle School
- Brooklyn Aronson, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Erin Koerner and Magnolia Ruth Zeeberg, Grade 6, American Overseas School of Rome
- Kenzi Greenberg and Ava Delgado Bozeman, Grade 8, Beman Middle School
- Aurora Chen and Favour Akinnifesi, Grade 8, American Overseas School of Rome
Honorable Mention
- Kylie Wolfgang, Grade 7, DuBois Area Middle School
- Marin Van Valkenburg, Grade 6,
- Raina Uy, Grade 8, American School of Doha
- Claire Lambert and Molly Clayton, Grade 6, American Overseas School of Rome
- Min Ubaeva, Grade 8, Chartiers Valley Middle School
- Kami Plute, Grade 8, Chartiers Valley Middle School
- Amari Lee, Grade 6, Walker MIll Middle School
- Marley Huyck, Grade 8, George S. MIckelson Middle School
- Leah Martin, Grade 7, Dodgen Middle School
- Alan Sun, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Dionne Mai, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Dani Hibbert, Grade 7, DuBois Area Middle School
- Dhwani Pathak, Grade 7, Dodgen Middle School
- Rebecca Macoratti, Grade 6, Lincoln Middle School
- Aubrey Morris, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Maryam Al-Dobai, Grade 8, American Overseas School of Rome
- Paul McCloskey, Grade 7, DuBois Area Middle School
- Viana Mattson, Grade 8 Park Ridge Jr./Sr. High School
- Ameena Zia, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Dilara Demirtas, Grade 6, Dickerson Middle School
- Avaani Basnet, Grade 5, Cannon School
You can view each student’s submission on the AMLE website. The students channeled their creativity to share poignant perspectives on middle school live in 2023, including the challenges of post-pandemic school life, the mental impact of current events like school shootings, and the constant pressure to achieve and ready themselves for high school.
You can view Willow’s winning submission as well as all of the finalists on AMLE’s website and they will all be on display at AMLE50: the 50th Annual Conference for Middle Level Education this November in National Harbor, Maryland.
“There is only upside when we listen – authentically listen – to the voices of young adolescents,” said Stephanie Simpson, CEO of AMLE, “It is important to AMLE as an organization to give a platform for students to share, to let us know what they’re going through and what they’re interested in. Only then can we build strong relationships and create learning environments that support them.” Ms. McClair agreed, recalling her excitement when she learned about the contest. “I immediately knew that I wanted to get my students involved,” she said, “having the students express themselves in creative ways, I gained such valuable insight into their worlds.”
“While I congratulate Willow and all of the contest finalists I also want to convey immense gratitude to all of the students who contributed their voices to this project,” Simpson said, “Please keep sharing your voices with the adults in your life!”