It continually floods social media, websites, and the news that teenagers are only capable of doing bad things. There are, however, a few, out of many, teenagers that say otherwise. Those teenagers are Zach Sobiech, Yash Gupta, and Easton LaChappelle. Zach Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a form of cancer. He was diagnosed in May of 2012. During this time of struggle, Zach turned to his friends, family, and guitar. Zach Sobiech began writing songs as a way to say goodbye to his loved ones. One of his biggest hits was Clouds. He became a YouTube sensation and the radio station KS95 premiered his song on the airwaves. His song began to touch lives and encourage people to live to their full potential. Zach lost his battle on May 12th, 2013, but this did not deter his vision and mission. Zach's fans pushed his song Clouds to the number one spot on iTunes, with proceeds going towards research in finding a cure for osteosarcoma. His message of perseverance in the midst of adversity is a major inspiration. His strength and courage has made a significant contribution to cancer research (Matsuo). Another valued teenage story is that of Yash Gupta.
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Yash Gupta has worn glasses since he was five years old. He broke them sparring taekwondo and had to go to school without his glasses for about a week because a new pair was being made. He then started to appreciate glasses, which he initially took as an afterthought, and their impact on his education. After Yash Gupta broke his glasses, he figured out that it is nearly impossible for him to learn in high school from lack of sight. He wanted to go out and make a difference in the world, so he found 10 pairs of glasses lying around his house and partnered with local organizations, along with a friend, and together they ended up getting over 150 pairs of old glasses. Yash Gupta founded Sight Learning. This is an organization that collects old eye glasses. They have collected and distributed more than $900,000 worth of eyeglasses. Yash Gupta said, "Sight Learning is constantly rewarding to me." There are around 300 million people in need of glasses and can't afford them. Gupta passed his goal of collecting and distributing $750,000 worth of old glasses. He is aiming to get to and/or pass $1 million by next month. Gupta wants to pursue a career in law, and he plans to continue work with Sight Learning while he is in college (Points of Light). Zach and Yash are not the only two with inspirational stories. Easton LaChappelle has an incredibly influential story about being able to take his talents and put them towards helping others. When Easton LaChappelle was younger, while other kids were worried about their social life and school, he was focusing on the internet. He decided to start teaching himself the basics of robotics. At the age of 14 years old, Easton LaChappelle made his first robotic arm. He used LEGO's and fishing wire. He was inspired to further his study later on in his life. His inspiration was a seven-year-old girl at a science fair. She had a prosthetic hand that only opened and closed and still cost her $80,000 (around £52,000). Just from using 3D printing, he has already developed an affordable, and fully functional, prototype of the limb. Easton has become so good at what he does, that NASA asked him to
Yash Gupta has worn glasses since he was five years old. He broke them sparring taekwondo and had to go to school without his glasses for about a week because a new pair was being made. He then started to appreciate glasses, which he initially took as an afterthought, and their impact on his education. After Yash Gupta broke his glasses, he figured out that it is nearly impossible for him to learn in high school from lack of sight. He wanted to go out and make a difference in the world, so he found 10 pairs of glasses lying around his house and partnered with local organizations, along with a friend, and together they ended up getting over 150 pairs of old glasses. Yash Gupta founded Sight Learning. This is an organization that collects old eye glasses. They have collected and distributed more than $900,000 worth of eyeglasses. Yash Gupta said, "Sight Learning is constantly rewarding to me." There are around 300 million people in need of glasses and can't afford them. Gupta passed his goal of collecting and distributing $750,000 worth of old glasses. He is aiming to get to and/or pass $1 million by next month. Gupta wants to pursue a career in law, and he plans to continue work with Sight Learning while he is in college (Points of Light). Zach and Yash are not the only two with inspirational stories. Easton LaChappelle has an incredibly influential story about being able to take his talents and put them towards helping others. When Easton LaChappelle was younger, while other kids were worried about their social life and school, he was focusing on the internet. He decided to start teaching himself the basics of robotics. At the age of 14 years old, Easton LaChappelle made his first robotic arm. He used LEGO's and fishing wire. He was inspired to further his study later on in his life. His inspiration was a seven-year-old girl at a science fair. She had a prosthetic hand that only opened and closed and still cost her $80,000 (around £52,000). Just from using 3D printing, he has already developed an affordable, and fully functional, prototype of the limb. Easton has become so good at what he does, that NASA asked him to