Nick Young is a student of Jenny Campbell at Langley Middle School in Langley, Washington. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, “Growing Up in a Kenyan Slum Taught Me the Real Value of Stuff,” by Simon Okelo. Read Nick's essay about how giving up his iPhone4 and his beloved dog Lucas would greatly affect his life.

We received many powerful essays for the Fall 2013 Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we'd like to share some excerpts that caught our eye.

Simon Okelo, author of "Growing Up in a Kenyan Slum Taught Me the Real Value of Stuff," responds to essay winners of the Fall 2013 "Simple Living" writing competition.

Sharon Lin is a student of Michael Ferraro at William R. Satz School in Holmdel, New Jersey. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Sharon's essay about how April Dávila inspired Sharon to adopt an organic vegan diet, and the increased energy and self-confidence she felt as a result.

Erica Young is a student of Jorge Muñoz at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Erica's creative essay about how foods, like superheroes, should proudly display their logos to disclose their identities.

Ryan Barry is a student of Professor Tom Hudspeth at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Ryan's essay about his concerns surrounding the health effects of GMOs, and his recommendation to follow the European Union's lead and adopt the precautionary principle.

Omar Charles is a student of Allison Stuart at General George A. McCall Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Omar's essay about his realization that when it comes to fighting products that may harm people and the environment, he has to become his own hero.

Russell Chiang is a student of Angela Halpin at Carmel Valley Middle School in San Diego, California. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Russell's essay about how GMOs may harm one's body, and how monopolizing companies can harm the economy.

Constantin Metzger is a student of Veronika Fröhlich at Pädagogische Hochschule University of Education in Heidelberg, Germany. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. Read Constantin's essay about feeling dependent on large corporations, and his efforts to ensure that his decisions remain his own.

April Dávila, a professional writer living and working in Los Angeles, and author of "A Month Without Monsanto," responds to essay winners of the Spring 2013 "Genetically Modified Food" writing competition.

Sumaiyah Mustaphalli is a sixth-grade student of Blakeney Miller at Orlando Science Middle School in Orlando, Florida. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "What Can Change When We Learn to See Each Other?" by Akaya Windwood. Read Sumaiyah's essay about how the smile of the young grocery bagger gave her hope for her soon-to-be-born sibling.

Nizhone Hickman is a student of Lisa Watson at Sonoran Science Academy in Tucson, Arizona. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "What Can Change When We Learn to See Each Other," by Akaya Windwood. Read Nizhone's essay about his challenge of opening up to strangers and his commitment to keep trying.