Writing can be a powerful way to share ideas and make your voice heard. This year, two CIS students Emily C. and Akshara S. were recognised in the Lumière Scholars Essay Competition, standing out among more than 2,000 entries from students across 111 countries. These accomplishments demonstrate that students’ thoughts matter and can influence audiences around the world.

We caught up with Emily and Akshara to learn more about their essay journeys and what they discovered along the way.

Grade 8 student Akshara S.

Akshara has been awarded an Honourable Mention in the 2025 Lumière Scholars Junior Scholars Essay Competition. This is a fantastic achievement, as her work stood out among thousands of entries from around the world.

The ethics of human DNA: healing or enhancing?

Akshara chose a deeply thought-provoking topic for her research: "Should we edit human DNA only to cure disease, or also to enhance abilities?" In her essay, Akshara explores the transformative potential of technologies like CRISPR(CRISPR is a revolutionary technology that acts like a pair of "molecular scissors," allowing scientists to precisely cut and edit DNA to treat diseases or modify traits), which offer hope for curing conditions once considered untreatable, such as cancer. However, she takes a strong ethical stance: gene editing should stay focused on healing and restoration rather than "upgrading" human traits like intelligence, strength, or appearance.

Why "perfect" isn't always better

Akshara’s research highlights the significant risks that come with genetic engineering. She argues that using technology for human enhancement could lead to a society divided by biology, where inherited advantages start to replace the value of hard work and perseverance. Beyond the social divide, Akshara believes that human diversity is essential to who we are. By trying to engineer “perfect” humans, we risk losing the individuality and personal growth that make us unique. Ultimately, her work serves as a reminder that scientific progress should be guided by ethics, prioritising healing and health over the desire to redefine what it means to be human.

The future of AI

This competition has only fuelled Akshara’s curiosity about how technology and people work together. Moving forward, she wants to explore how Artificial Intelligence will change the world: from how doctors treat patients to how we choose our future careers. She is especially interested in how AI can make life easier and more accessible for everyone, while still making sure our privacy is protected and that the technology is used fairly.

Akshara’s Reflection: Trust Your Perspective

The journey from a single spark of curiosity to a finished essay wasn’t easy. It took a lot of hard work, from brainstorming and organising ideas to pushing through multiple rounds of editing. Through this challenge, Akshara learned how to take complex thoughts and turn them into clear, evidence-based arguments.

For any student thinking about taking on this challenge, Akshara said:

"Follow your curiosity, start early, and trust your perspective. Even as students, our ideas matter, and platforms like this give us the chance to share them with the world. I’m so grateful to my teachers at CIS for their guidance and for giving me this amazing opportunity."

Grade 9 student Emily H.C.

Emily has been shortlisted in the 2025 Lumière Scholars Essay Competition. Out of over 2,000 entries from 111 countries, Emily’s work stood out, earning her the prestigious Excellence Award. Her achievement reminds us all how powerful it can be to write about the issues that truly matter to you.

Can Pop Culture change the world?

“How might popular culture reshape our understanding of the world around us?” This was the question Emily chose to research. As part of a generation immersed in social media, Emily has seen firsthand how pop culture trends do more than just entertain, they actually shape our values. For her essay, she focused on a specific trope that dominated social media feeds for years before eventually "crashing and burning": The Girlboss.

The problem with the "Boss" mentality

The phrase was originally coined by Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal, and quickly sparked a wave of "neoliberal feminism." Emily’s essay brilliantly breaks down how this movement stripped feminism of its political edge to make it marketable. Instead of focusing on community or collective progress, the "Girlboss" era shifted the spotlight toward individual gain. It turned empowerment into a personal brand, essentially promoting a mindset of "every woman for herself."

Emily argues that this is deeply problematic because it suggests there is no longer a need to advocate for women’s rights just because a few individuals reached the top. She points out that as long as women’s rights vary so drastically by country, collective advocacy remains a necessity.

Why one size doesn't fit all

“How can we call something "empowerment" if it isn't accessible to everyone?”

Another major point in Emily’s research is that the "Girlboss" mold only really worked for a specific group of people: those who were white, wealthy, and conventionally attractive. This trend often ignored the systemic barriers faced by women of colour, those with disabilities, or those from lower-income backgrounds.

Furthermore, Emily observed that instead of encouraging women to embrace who they are, the trend celebrated stereotypically masculine traits like aggression and ruthlessness. Essentially, it told women they had to act like "the men in charge" to be seen as successful.

Emily’s advice: just start it

Success wasn’t easy. Emily’s journey involved late nights, "painful" editing, and a serious love-hate relationship with citation tools.

"There were times I really wanted to quit," she admits. "But I was so happy to finally have a reason to research something I’m passionate about. Finishing this essay has motivated me to keep exploring gender studies and society."

To any student on the fence, Emily’s message is simple: Just write it. "Even if you don't think you’re good enough. I didn’t think I was either. If you’re thinking about it, you’re already at the starting line. All you have to do is take the first step."

Pro-Tip for Applicants:make sure your MLA citations are correct in your draft, but don’t panic if the formatting looks strange once you paste it into the submission form - Emily worried about this too, but it didn't affect her results! Also, keep in mind that any footnotes won't transfer over to the form, so you don't need to worry about including them in the final submission.

We are incredibly proud of Emily and Akshara for challenging the status quo and for their commitment to exploring the big questions that will shape the future of our world.