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2024 Youth Essay Writing Conference:

A Celebration of Critical Thinking Across Disciplines

Writopia Lab’s 2024 youth essay writing conference welcomed the next generation to share their ideas, passions, and research with their peers and the community at large. 

Our in-person conferences were held in:

  • New York City on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 from 1 PM to 5 PM EST at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. 
  • Washington, DC on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 from 2 PM to 5 PM EST. 

Our online conference was held:

  • Over Zoom on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 from 1 PM to 4 PM EST / 10 AM  to 1 PM PST.

Submissions for our next conference will open in 2025.

Featured Panels

Embracing Nostalgia 

Nostalgia is a deep yearning for a return to or a focus on the past. Every day we see reflections of the past in our everyday lives— fashion trends (Oh no, not low-rise jeans!); adaptations, reboots, and sequels of literature, films, and plays; and trying to understand our current world in relation to its history. How does nostalgia show up in your life? How does it help or hurt the world, to contemplate and yearn for the past? 

Self in Society

In a world of widespread punditry, social media sound bites, internet rabbit holes, and mixed messages about what the “ideal” is, it can be hard to recognize and maintain a true sense of self. There are times where we may be willing to compromise small aspects of self to fit within frameworks and there may be times where we cannot. In those instances, how do we maintain a sense of self? Where do we find balance and how do we practice self-care? And how do we speak up and reflect on what matters most to us? 

Our Classic Panel Topics
(Each year, we’re eager to read essays about any of the following.)

  • Literature/Film/Media/Music/The Arts
  • Science/Technology
  • Philosophy/Religion
  • Current Events/Society/Global
  • Race/Culture/Gender
  • ...and more!
Previous Years:

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School Year Programs
Upcoming Events
Winter Retreat
  • Enrollment for our 2025 Winter Retreat is open!
    • Saturday, February 15th to Tuesday, February 18th, 2025
    • @ Camp Mariah in Fishkill, NY

Enroll Now!

Weekly Trimester-Long Workshops

Check out the Weekly Trimester-Long Schedule.

Holiday & School Break Workshops

Check out the Half-Day and Full-Day schedules.

Overnight Programs