The Future of Education: Hopes for the Next Ten Years by Vena

The Future of Education: Hopes for the Next Ten Years by Vena - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I think about education in the next ten years, I hope it becomes less about restriction and more about opportunity. Right now, schools are quick to put phones in Yondr pouches, thinking that solves the issue with distractions. But honestly, locking phones away doesn’t teach responsibility. Students still need to learn how to balance technology with focus, because phones are part of everyday life. Instead of just taking them away, schools should be teaching us how to use them wisely—whether that’s for research, communication, or even learning time management.

I also hope athletics become a bigger priority, especially for female sports. Too often, women’s teams don’t receive the same attention, funding, or recognition as male programs, even though female athletes work just as hard and deserve the same opportunities. Sports have shaped me personally—cheer has taught me leadership, discipline, and resilience. I know how powerful athletics can be in building confidence and community. Ten years from now, I’d like to see schools making sure female athletes have equal access to resources, facilities, and support. Athletics should be valued as a pathway for growth and success, no matter the sport or gender.

The last change I want to see is more pathways for the future. Too many students leave high school not really knowing what comes next. College isn’t the only option, and it shouldn’t feel like the only definition of success. Schools should offer more career exploration, mentorship, and hands-on experiences so students can see all the possibilities out there—whether that’s trade programs, internships, athletics, volunteering, or higher education.

Education should prepare us for life, not just tests. If schools can shift from restriction to responsibility, make female sports a true priority, and open more diverse pathways, students will be better prepared to step into the world confident and ready for whatever comes next.