The "Do the Write Thing" program challenges students to reduce violence and its impact on their lives. All across America, students are rising to the challenge of doing something to end youth violence. The Do the Write Thing Challenge gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives. Through classroom discussions and writings, students communicate what they think should be done to reduce youth violence. In addition, they make personal commitments to do something about this problem. By emphasizing personal responsibility, the DtWT program also educates adults about the causes of youth violence. Local community groups promote the program at the grassroots level so that teachers, school administrators, parents, coaches, and young people can bring youth violence into the open, where it can be examined and talked about in a constructive way. When students accept the Challenge, they become messengers for their own thoughts and ideas, which are ultimately more powerful than violence. We say to students, "Accept the Do the Write Thing Challenge. Who knows where it will lead?" In this case of the students highlighted within these pages, their commitment has lead to publication of their moving essays, poems, short stories, and plays. We present to you the writings of Do the Write Thing's National Ambassadors, who hail from all across America: from our very first program site of Washington, DC; to the gulf coast in New Orleans; to Los Angeles, Colorado, and Montana; from Chicago to New York; and many cities and communities in between.