XCEPTIONAL Teen Magazine

Five students walk down a bright school corridor, chatting and carrying books and folders.

Bold, warm stories by and about teens: the dreamers, doers and change-makers shaping what’s next.

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Teens are at promise,
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Cadet Hyacinthe, smiling in a grey Columbus Police cadet polo shirt with a name tag and cadet badge, against a white background.

Teen Visionary

Locked In: Meet Cadet Hyacinthe

Once set on becoming a surgeon, Columbus Police Cadet Hyacinthe is now “locked in” on policing, and on showing young people that officers are here to protect and serve.

3 min read · Nov 1, 2026

Cadet Babcock, a young man with short dark hair and a beard, grins in a grey Columbus Police cadet polo shirt with a name tag and cadet badge.

Teen Visionary

Born to Serve: Meet Cadet Babcock

A police officer’s son with a “service heart”, Columbus Police Cadet Babcock wants to patrol streets where people know him by name.

6 min read · Nov 1, 2026

Issa, a teen in a black Nike cap and black zip-up jacket, smiles broadly at the camera.

Teen Visionary

Answering the Call: Meet Issa Jama

Issa Jama is going straight from high school into law enforcement, and he wants to help young people put down the guns and talk things out.

4 min read · Nov 1, 2026

Emmanuel, a teen with short dark hair, smiles broadly in an olive fleece zip-up jacket against a light grey background.

Teen Visionary

Breaking Limits: Meet Emmanuel Ofori

Long jumper, Link Crew mentor and future counseling psychologist, Westerville senior Emmanuel Ofori wants to make sure no one struggling feels they have nobody to talk to.

8 min read · Nov 1, 2026

Sumira, a teen with long dark hair and round glasses, wears a burgundy polka-dot top against a light grey background.

Teen Visionary

Parallel Paths to Greatness: Meet Sumira Adhikari

Editor-in-chief, poet and future journalist, Westerville senior Sumira Adhikari wants to be the storyteller who makes sure no one goes unheard.

7 min read · Nov 1, 2026

Sami, a teen with long braids and red-framed glasses, wears a pink cardigan and layered silver necklaces against a light grey background.

Teen Visionary

Buckeye Roots, Stanford Wings: Meet Sami Pedro, the Ohio student who proved anything is possible

A full-ride scholarship to Stanford, all A’s and a 5 a.m. alarm: Westerville senior Sami Pedro on the “Golden Ticket” moment and why big dreams aren’t only for other people.

7 min read · Nov 1, 2026