Saadia ’27 is using storytelling as a tool for justice through her work with the MeritPixel project, creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to recognize their own worth beyond grades and test scores.
The first few weeks of the MeritPixel project, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with students from Figure Skating in Harlem—hearing their stories, coordinating photo sessions, and helping them create digital snapshots that reflect not only their achievements, but their voices. One moment that sticks with me was when I asked a student to write about their “biggest obstacle.” They hesitated, then said, “No one ever asked me that like it mattered before.” It stopped me. I realized that MeritPixel isn’t just about showcasing students for applications—it’s about asking the kinds of questions that allow them to see themselves as worthy, powerful, and full of potential.
The MeritPixel project is about more than digital design or college prep. It’s about creating space for young people to reflect deeply and be seen fully. So often, students from underrepresented backgrounds are told they should “prove” themselves through grades, awards, or test scores. MeritPixel flips that. It says your story is already worthy—and we’re here to emphasize that. This made me realize that empowerment can begin with a quiet question.
As I move forward with MeritPixel, I want to focus more intentionally on creating moments of affirmation and empowerment throughout the process. Students should leave their sessions not only with a polished snapshot, but with a deeper sense of who they are and what they’re capable of. This means the questions I ask will be more rooted in empathy—and I’ll carry these reflections into the way I show up.
So far, this summer is teaching me that storytelling is a form of justice—and when young people are equipped to tell their stories, it can shift how they see themselves, and how the world sees them, too.