This year, the One World Academy served 184 middle school students from 17 DC schools. This past Friday, some of these students presented at the One World Challenge to propose solutions to real-world issues—addressing everything from unsustainable housing prices to energy use at AI data centers. They spoke with clarity, confidence, and purpose, sharing not only what they’ve learned, but what they believe needs to change in the world around them. Moments like this are the result of months of research, writing, and preparation, and a community that believes in the power of student voice.
Thank you to everyone who joined us as judges, volunteers, and supporters. Your presence made a meaningful difference for our students. As One World looks ahead to its Graduation Celebration in June, the organization will continue to support students as they develop their ideas, voices, and leadership. Community members will have opportunities to get involved and support this work in the weeks ahead.
Stage Presentations
1st Place
Malachi Jackson, Statesmen College Prep, Grade 6
Police Brutality in DC
2nd Place
Torrie Chavis, Alice Deal Middle School, Grade 8
Aging Out of Foster Care
3rd Place
Keyla Lloclle Pacco, Inspired Teaching PCS, Grade 7
AI Use in Schools
Honorable Mention
Tara Swaminathan, Alice Deal Middle School, Grade 7
ICE and Mental Health
Essays
1st Place – Grades 5/6
Brendan Brown, Statesmen College Prep, Grade 6
False Imprisonment of Black Males in DC
2nd Place – Grades 5/6
Biosah Mokwunye, Washington Latin 2nd Street PCS, Grade 6
Price Increase for Sports Programs
1st Place – Grades 7/8
Davion Johnson, Friendship Southeast, Grade 8
Energy Use at AI Centers
2nd Place – Grades 7/8
Kaeden Burke, Friendship Southeast, Grade 7
Illegal Gun Modifications in DC
Honorable Mention
Jonathan White, Jr., Statesmen College Prep, Grade 7
The Hazard of Water Fountains
Board Presentations
1st Place
Elizabeth Dawson, Alice Deal Middle School, Grade 8
Drug Use in Native American Communities
2nd Place
Camila Meza-Henriquez, Creative Minds PCS, Grade 5
Bullying
3rd Place
Harlem Williams, Statesmen College Prep, Grade 6
The Wrong ICE is Melting
Honorable Mention – Grades 5/6
Amir Ford, Friendship Southeast, Grade 6
Homework and Mental Health
Honorable Mention – Grades 7/8
Chibuike Ohiri, Two Rivers PCS, Grade 8
Impact of Police and ICE Brutality
Snapshots of the Spring 2026 One World Challenge
Creative Minds 5th-grader Camila Meza-Henriquez presented on the effects of bullying to judge Greg Luce from Washington Unbound.
Treasure Sodimu, a 6th-grader from Two Rivers PCS, presented on discrimination against Black girls in schools and what can be done to ensure an equitable education.
Alice Deal 8th-grader Torrie Chavis spoke about how to support kids who are aging out of foster care.
7th-grader Greg Smith from Statesmen College Preparatory Academy spoke with Alana Edmund from Afterschool Alliance about the effects of social media on youth.
Elizabeth Dawson, an 8th-grader from Alice Deal, presented on overdosing in the Native American community with judge Chris Asis from NIH Federal Credit Union.
Statesmen College Preparatory Academy 6th-grader Malachi Jackson delivered his speech on police brutality in DC.
Cruz Watts, a 6th-grader from Statesmen College Preparatory Academy, spoke about the effects of plastic pollution and ways we can protect our environment.
One World Academy middle school students presented their boards to a packed audience at the National Housing Center.
Thank you, Judges!
The Challenge would not have been possible without members of the One World community who volunteered their time and expertise to judge student work!
Speech Judges
Melissa Alshab
The George Preston Marshall Foundation
Leslie Brooks
Afterschool Alliance
Vincent Dorris, Jr.
Bank of America
Lynsey Jeffries
Higher Achievement
Kinjal Nana
Kiwanis DC
Scott Rechler
LearnServe
Nicole Travers
DC Charter School Alliance
Ben Williams
DC State Board of Education
Board Judges
Isa Adler
Bank of America
Chris Asis
NIH Federal Credit Union
Juliana Cantrell
Bank of America
Sina Eames
Bank of America
Alana Edmund
Afterschool Alliance
Greg Luce
Washington Unbound
Eva Newbold
LearnServe
Crystal Ng
Community Member
Grace Quinn
Bank of America
Srini Raghunathan
Bank of America
Wilma Richiez Mateo
Ms. Puerto Rico
Memo Sahin
Bank of America
Ricky Scott
Deloitte