Let’s put an end to youth violence!

Do the Write Thing

Educators across the country are encouraged to engage their middle school students in a powerful classroom discussion centered around the topic of youth violence and how they can alleviate violence in their communities. These activities, aligned with Common Core ELA standards, aim to amplify student voices, reinforce a sense of community, and propel their communities to make changes. Download the 2026 DTWT Michigan School Packet to learn more about how to get your classroom involved in the Do the Write Thing Essay Challenge this year!

DTWT packet

All across America,

students are impacted by youth violence!

dtwt Detroit National ambassadors in Washington, d.c.

upload your school's Essays

• Click on the following link and submit all items needed for your school via DTWT Google Form
  
• Essays are due by Friday, November 21, 2025.

Each year, a National Student Ambassador is selected from a pool of Detroit middle school students to represent the City of Detroit's Do the Write Thing Essay Challenge in Washington, D.C.  Each student ambassadors' winning essays on youth violence receives a full paid trip to Washington, D.C., accompanied by a parent and teacher.  The National Student Ambassadors' winning essays are published in the Library of Congress.

Download the 2026 Do the Write Thing Michigan School Participation Packet