Running Beyond Limits and toward the Future in Daecheon

By Min-Seo Kim, Daecheon Girls’ Middle SchoolThis May, Boryeong was energized by marathoners challenging their limits and students taking steps toward their future roles as leaders through a leadership camp.Have you ever participated in a marathon? You may also have heard about the marathon held every year in Daecheon? The Imhae Marathon is held every year at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong. Every year in early summer, many people gather here to participate in the Imhae Marathon held at Daecheon Beach.About 5,031 people from all over the country participated in the 23rd Imhae Marathon held on May 9, 2026. In particular, famous athletes including Lee Bong-ju, along with Boryeong Mayor Kim Dong-il, who wore bib number 0001, participated and ran alongside the citizens.From the sight of participants running until the end while feeling the cool sea breeze, participants and supporters expressed that they could feel the vibrant energy.Building on this vibrant community spirit, a special event was held at Daecheon Girls' Middle School.Every year, Daecheon Girls' Middle School holds a "Leadership Camp" where the student council members and teachers participate together. This year, on May 8th, a meaningful camp was held at Daecheon Beach.During the camp, the student council and teachers gathered to plan major upcoming school events. They also had various activities, such as discussing the specific roles of each student council department.After dinner, everyone gathered for a barbecue party to talk freely and build trust with each other. Through these activities, students developed a sense of responsibility and realized the importance of teamwork as leaders.It is hoped that the student council, which built responsibility and cooperation through this camp, will create a bright school atmosphere and contribute to the school's development in the future.

Special Evening: School Band Performance

By Da-in Lee, Daehung Middle SchoolOn May 7th , Thursday evening, the school band had a performance at the school terrace. It ended successfully with lots of reactions.Daehung Middle School's club system consists of different fields such as sports club, basic club, characteristic club, and voluntary club. Among them, a voluntary club is a club that is made up of students themselves; it should have a club presentation over once. The school band, named the GB band(Good Brothers), decided to have their club presentation to open the school performance.The performance was on May 7th, from 5:30 p.m to 6:10 p.m (about 40 minutes). They performed on terrace, which was placed in front of the annex of the school.The GB band performed 7 songs. Student watched their performance after dinner; some of them enjoyed the song through the window of their classroom. Since Daehung school is structured as a middle and high school, some high school students also watched the performance.The end of the performance, many students responded like “I really enjoyed!”, “thanks to you guys, I was very happy all evening!". And the band teacher also reacted positively. There was encore the band. The song was not that completed, but the whole performance was successful. I was also proud of this performance as a band member.This performance was a special time for the students. Due to the band, the ;studens can start their self-study after the performance merrily.

Hongseong Historical Personal Festival Opens Another Path to History

By Solhee Lee, Naepo Middle SchoolThe Hongseong Historical Personality Festival is a representative cultural festival held in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province. It is an event held to honor great people in Korean history and to help many people know about Korean history and traditional culture. Every year, many students, families, and tourists visit the festival and enjoy various hands-on activities and performances. Especially for students, it is a great opportunity to understand historical figures in textbooks in an easier and more interesting way.Hongseong is famous for producing many historical figures since ancient times. So, the festival has various programs to introduce great people who have worked hard for the country and other important historical figures. Visitors can explore the lives and achievements of the great people at the Historical Person Exhibition Hall. The exhibition features photos and explanatory materials that are easy for young students to understand. In addition, history quizzes and hands-on activities are also held to enhance people's interest.One of the most popular programs at the festival is a historical reenactment. Actors wear old costumes and act out historical scenes. Visitors can feel as if they have entered the past. In particular, scenes that reproduce important events in history and life in the Joseon Dynasty attract the attention of many people. Students can see with their own eyes what they used to learn only from books. The festival also features traditional music and dance performances. Traditional Korean music and samulnori performances are held, and you can also enjoy the beautiful dances of traditional dancers. When the performance begins, many people gather in front of the stage to clap and enjoy it together. These performances allow you to feel the beauty of Korean culture.Parade events are also gaining huge popularity. Participants parade through the streets in hanbok and traditional costumes. Some people dress up as historical generals or scholars. The combination of colorful costumes, flags, and music makes the festival atmosphere even more exciting. Children enjoy watching the parade, and families leave memories while taking pictures.There is also a wide variety of experience programs. Visitors can try on traditional clothes while experiencing wearing hanbok. They can also participate in activities such as writing calligraphy, making traditional crafts, and making masks. Students can feel Korean traditional culture more closely through these experiences. In particular, hands-on activities have a great educational effect because they remain in their memory for a long time.Traditional play experiences are also popular with many people. Children have fun playing traditional games, such as Yutnori, Jegichagi, and Tuhonori. Adults also enjoy playing together, recalling their childhoods. These activities create great opportunities for generations to mingle together.There are also various food booths at the festival. People can taste local specialty foods as well as snacks such as tteokbokki, soondae, and hot dogs. Watching performances while enjoying delicious food is one of the great pleasures of the festival. In addition, a market that sells crafts and souvenirs made by local residents is held to attract tourists' attention.The Hongseong Historical Person Festival is not just an event to play, but also has the meaning of historical education. Students can feel the importance of our culture by learning the achievements of historical figures and the spirit of love for the country. In addition, local residents take pride in the region through the festival. It is very helpful for the local economy and tourism industry because many tourists visit Hongseong to see the festival.This festival is developing into more programs and various hands-on activities every year. Foreign tourists are also participating in the festival to experience Korean history and culture. Therefore, the Hongseong Historical Person Festival is growing into one of Korea's representative cultural events beyond local festivals.I hope that the Hongseong Historical Person Festival will continue to develop in the future so that more people can learn and enjoy Korean history and traditional culture. This festival is a special event that gives people fun and inspires them to think about the importance of our history once again. It also provides a meaningful time for friends and family to make precious memories together. So many people wait for this festival every year, and it will remain a long-loved festival in the future.

Friendship & Kindness Campaign with Warm hearts

By Eun-seo Lee, Nonsan Girls’ Middle SchoolOn March 27th, teachers and students of Nonsan Girls’ Middle School held a friendship and kindness campaign to foster a warm school culture of students on the way to school in the morning.On March 27th, teachers and students of Nonsan Girls’ Middle School campaigned for friendship and kindness. Numerous students and teachers participated in the campaign, and provided some phone grips that have engraved phrases about friendship and kindness. They conducted this campaign in accordance with Nonsan Girls’ Middle School’s motto, ‘Wisdom in Mind, Love in Hearts’, to build a warm school culture. This campaign also helps students establish positive relationships based on understanding and respect in each other’s school life, and students participated comfortably without burdened by using their daily commute to school.A student who participated in this campaign said “I thought that the relationship where friends understand each other and act thoughtfully toward each other with friends is meaningful.” In addition, this campaign not only influenced friendships of students but also fostered fellowship between teachers and students through collaborative participation out together. Nonsan Girls’ Middle School is expected to operate various activities that can broaden empathy and communication among students through this campaign.

School Garden Makes Students, Teachers, and the Earth Happy!

By Jin Lee, Mojong Middle SchoolOn May 7th, Mojong Middle School’s eco-friendly gardening club students harvested their first lettuce at the school vegetable garden as a result of their hard work.Mojong Middle School has a gardening Club which is called ‘Ssuk-ssuk! Nyam-nyam!’ This club, consisting of 19 students, has grown various kinds of plants in the area next to the playground since March. They grow vegetables and fruits which include lettuce, green onions, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries.One of the club members said, “We put in effort to create a wonderful and eco-friendly school vegetable garden. We filled the garden bed with soil, spread fertilizer, and planted seeds and seedlings. We also watered the plants every week.”Of course, there were difficulties. They often had to go to school earlier than other students to water the plants and spend their lunch time on gardening. They don’t spray agrochemicals. And they grow plants organically. So bugs appear sometimes, and they have to catch them. Waiting for months until the plants grow enough needs patience. About the feelings that they had during the experience, the student said, “There were some difficulties. And it is still the same now. However, we feel fulfilled. Bugs are kind of gross, but we feel that much better because that means we grow plants that are good for nature and our bodies! Finally, we gathered our first harvest of lettuce. It was fresh and delicious! I was happy to see my harvest on the table at home.”The students felt joyful and rewarded during the process of growing. What's more, they began to pay attention to nature and the environment by using eco-friendly organic farming methods.Then, why did this club start? The teacher in charge said, “I started this club, because I hoped that students would feel relaxed and have a good time through gardening. I also wanted them to become interested in the environment through this opportunity. Our club’s goal is to cook dishes such as salad and kimchi with our harvest. I want students to feel at home with vegetables, and nature. I’m very proud of those who work hard for our garden.”In this way, Mojong Middle School’s gardening club provides a harvest. And it also gives students the experience of growing life. Furthermore, it allows students to practice a zero-carbon life. Through this small action, the students are changing the Earth. This change can help reduce carbon emissions and protect our polluted planet!

Asan Youth Lead the way at Children's Day Festival for Asan Youth

By Lim Zio, Mosan Middle SchoolASAN, South Korea, Thousands of families visited Asan Culture Park on May 5 for the city’s 2026 Children’s Day festa, the “Dream High” Festival.Unlike last year's, this year’s festival stood out because local children and teenagers were directly involved in planning and running the event. Students shared ideas for programs, helped prepare activities, and participated on stage throughout the day, making the festival feel more special for every child in Asan.The youth busking stage drew large crowds with its unique performances.Middle and high school students performed dance covers, sang pop songs, and showed off talents ranging from instruments to magic performances. Parents and visitors gathered around the stage to cheer them on.Across the park, children took part in hands-on activities organized by local organizations and public agencies. At the safety booths run by police and firefighters, kids practiced CPR, learned how to use fire extinguishers, and tried on uniforms. Career experience programs and craft workshops were also popular with families. Also, Chungnam Asan FC, a professional regional soccer team, provided a unique experience by teaching soccer to children.The opening ceremony featured performances by the Asan Municipal Choir, followed by musicals, cheerleading, and cultural performances throughout the day.This year, the event was held at Asan Culture Park instead of Sinjeongho Lake, allowing easier access for residents to the city center. The location change helped bring more families to the festival during the holiday.Mayor Oh Se-hyun said the city would continue creating opportunities for children and teenagers to participate more actively in community events.For many visitors, the biggest difference this year was seeing young people not only enjoying the festival, but helping create it themselves.

What a Strong Sports School, DaeMyeong!

By Ye-jun Han, DaeMyeong Boy’s Middle SchoolDaeMyeong Boys: The rebel hearts of an era where sports days are disappearing.Have you seen the news that school sports days are disappearing? These days, many schools cancel sports days because of noise complaints from neighbors or demanding parents. However, my school is different. I invite you to the special Sports Day of my School, where we learn, communicate, and grow together.On May 7th and 8th, students, teachers, parents, and the local community worked together to give the students the happiest two days. For two days, we played many games including relay races, dodgeball, soccer, and jokgu. We forgot about the stress of last week’s exams and truly enjoyed the moment.What made this year’s Sports Day truly special was the "Mom’s Snack Bar." Mothers visited the school and personally made delicious snacks for us. Happy faces of all of us made the festival even more exciting. Thanks to the support from our mothers, these two days became an unforgettable memory.We students became tired from playing many games in the gym and on the field. To help us, the local community provided great support-ice water, drinks, ice cream and snacks. They did not mind our loud cheering or the loud music; instead, they allowed us to fully enjoy the festival. Their generosity helped make our Sports Day possible.The real stars of Sports Day are the teachers and students. Our teachers lead us with passion and we train very hard every day. Thanks to these efforts, our school has achieved great results in many sports competitions over the past few years.Winning is sweet, but the true value of sports is creating memories together. Our school aims to be a "happy community" through learning and communication together. During these two days, everyone—students, teachers, parents, and neighbors—was happy. I am very proud to be a student at such a strong sports school, DaeMyeong.

Seocheon Girls' Middle School, united by traditional excitement

By Yejin Kim, Seocheon Girls’ Middle SchoolStudents at Seocheon Girls’ Middle School recently enjoyed a special sports festival with traditional Korean games instead of ordinary athletic events. This event held a deeper significance because the school is built on the historic grounds of the Joseon-era Seocheon Town Wall (Eupseong), a precious regional cultural heritage. Celebrating traditional culture directly on this historic site made the festival truly unique, especially since there are few chances to experience traditional Korean games in daily life.Unlike other schools’ sports festivals, this event focused on traditional Korean activities. Students from the first, second, and third grades all participated together, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere throughout the festival.The sports festival included many traditional games such as stone striking, archery, spinning tops, bamboo stilts, tangram puzzles, and a cooperative ball-bouncing game. These activities required teamwork, concentration, and communication, so students were able to cooperate and encourage one another during the games. ”It was exciting and truly enjoyable to spend time and play traditional games with students from different grades," said So-yul Kang, a first-year student. Many students said it was exciting and enjoyable to spend time with students from different grades.For many first-year students, this was their first sports festival in middle school. Wearing matching class T-shirts for the first time also made the event feel new and memorable. Students cheered loudly for one another and enjoyed every moment of the festival.The school organized the festival with traditional games because students today have few opportunities to experience traditional Korean culture. Through the event, students were able to learn about traditional culture while having fun with their friends. The traditional sports festival was not only entertaining but also meaningful. Students shared unforgettable memories, learned about Korean traditional culture, and became closer to one another through the activities. The event became a valuable memory for many students at Seocheon Girls’ Middle School.

Seongyeon Middle School Hosts First Invitational Exhibition “From the Glorious Darkness” by Sean Ju Choi

By Jun-Mo Yang, Seongyeon Middle SchoolThe invitational exhibition “From the Glorious Darkness” by painter Sean Ju Choi opened in the Seongyeon Middle School Multiplex SYM Showroom on May 6th.“I picked up a 4B pencil, and my story began again with glorious darkness. I had to try to resolve that conflict in some way, and it’s still ongoing. I’m happy to be spending my time healthily. Moments I’ve spent encouraging and comforting myself! Though I may not be perfect, I’m grateful for every moment I get to share my art with others.” (Sean Ju Choi, painter’s note)Seongyeon Middle School’s Multiplex SYM is a complex space that includes a library, an interdisciplinary art space, and an AI art cultivation space. Multiplex SYM started its space innovation in August 2024, and it was completed in the second semester of 2025. As part of the Gamseongkkumteul school space innovation project promoted by the Chungnam Office of Education, Seongyeon Middle School is promoting library remodeling with the participation of the school educational community, including students, teachers, and parents, and has created a student-friendly Multiplex SYM.Multiplex SYM stands for Study pla-Y ad-Mire, and it features a library and self-learning room for study, a showroom and a concert room for play, a VR Room to be installed in the future, and a lounge with a beam projector for admiration.The Invitation Exhibition started on Wednesday, May 6th, and it runs until May 20th. The purpose of this invitation exhibition is to help students become independent, build a healthy student culture, and experience high-quality culture. Painter Sean Ju Choi is a regular member of the Korean Fine Arts Association, and she has participated in solo and group exhibitions 70 times, such as Munhwaissyu Invitation Exhibition and Picasso Gallery Invitation Exhibition.In the invitational exhibition, there are paintings such as 'A Thousand Years of Solitude,' painted capturing the view of the walls of Haemieupseong Walled town, as well as still lifes and flowers.A student who viewed the invitational exhibition left a review saying, “I think the paintings have a lot of meaning. The painting of corn stuck between the grass was the most impressive.” In addition, other students commented that the paintings are beautiful, they look like photographs, and that they want to own them.Dong Hyeon Lee, a Korean teacher, said that he designed the Multiplex SYM to help students rest, become independent, and transform the school into a better school, and that he held exhibitions by external artists to build a healthy school culture and introduce students to luxurious culture. He also asked the painter to volunteer for the students since the school could not provide an exhibition fee, and the painter gladly agreed.This is the first exhibition by an external artist in Multiplex SYM, and such cultural events are expected to become even more active in the future.

Buyeo’s special night 2026 Baekma River Moonlit Night Market

By Hyo-seo Yang, Buyeo Girls’ Middle SchoolThe Moonlit Night Market in Buyeo, Chungnam, runs every Friday and Saturday starting April 24 through June 27, running from 6 to 11 in the evening.At the 2026 Buyeo Baekma River Moonlit Night Market, people can enjoy all sorts of tasty treats like sweet crispy chicken, spicy rice cakes, fried snacks, and ice cream. Visitors will also find crafts and can enjoy activities like block making and silverwork.Additionally, every week the market features special shows that offer fresh vibes every time people visit. Some shows, like the K-pop dance competition and the Baekma Legend show, allow entry through advanced registration. Visitors can enjoy Jazz Night and Youth Mic live performances. There will also be exciting events like the Goodtrae Pay event and a magazine photo booth, making the night market even more fun.This year feels extra special since it marks the 10th year of the Baekmagang Moonlight Night Market, and it has grown bigger with even more activities than before. A student who visited the Beakma River Moonlit Night Market said, “Every weekend is exciting thanks to the Baekma River moonlit night market.”For the last decade, the Baekmagang Moonlight Night Market has lit up Buyeo's nights and turned into a well-known nighttime spot that boosts the local economy and businesses life into the local economy and businesses.

General Yi’s spirit returns to Asan city

By Seoa Lee, Seol Hwa Middle SchoolEven centuries worth of time could not dim the soul of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who continues to live in the hearts of Asan citizens until this very day.For over 60 years, Asan City has hosted an annual festival in honor of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a Korean naval commander who is remembered as one of the country’s most respected heroes. The festival, which takes place around April 28, celebrates his leadership and his role in defending the country during the Joseon Dynasty.This year’s festival took place from April 28 to May 3 and attracted thousands of visitors to central areas in Asan, including Onyangoncheon Station, Hyeonchungsa, and Gokgyocheon Stream. The festival featured a wide variety of attractions, which included traditional street parades, food markets, military band performances, and nighttime drone shows. Organizers combined historical themes and culture with modern entertainment, attracting both local residents and tourists to experience the festive atmosphere and learn more about Korean history.One of the festival's main goals was to help the present generation and foreign tourists better understand Yi Sun-sin’s achievements and why he must be remembered. Historical performances such as the Yi Sun-sin biography procession and the national crane wing formation battle contest introduced visitors to the general’s life and tactics during difficult times of war. Educational programs such as the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Youth Golden Bell gave the younger generation a chance to learn about his records by answering various questions. Traditional music and performances also showed the importance of preserving Korean culture and history. These kinds of programs, which combined informative learning experiences with entertainment, were aimed at making history more interesting and accessible to the public.As the festival came to an end, large crowds continued to fill the streets of Asan late into the evening. Tourists and local residents gathered to enjoy the remaining performances of the week-long celebration. The annual festival showed how history and culture can bring people together while keeping the spirit of past heroes alive for future generations. Asan’s long-standing tradition of honoring Yi Sun-sin continues to hold an important place in the city’s identity and cultural heritage.

Haemieupseong Lotus Lantern Festival

By Ye-seul Han, Seosan Girls’ Middle SchoolEvery spring, a beautiful “lotus lantern festival” takes place at Haemieupseong Fortress. To celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, people gather together. Haemieupseong has a sad history, but this festival fills the fortress with warm light to bring peace to everyone.What Is This Festival?The Haemieupseong “lotus lantern festival” happens every year in Haemieupseong. It takes place on the Saturday before Buddha's Birthday, which is one of the biggest holidays for Korean Buddhists.Three Things Visitors Can See at the Festival.The festival has three main parts. Each part is different, but together they make the night feel warm and peaceful. The first part is called Bongchuk Beopyosik. This is a Buddhist ceremony to celebrate Buddha's birthday. The term "Bongchuk" means "celebrating Buddha's birth," and "Beopyosik" means "a Buddhist ceremony." During this time, monks and visitors sit together and pray. They wish for peace and happiness for everyone. The second part is the Lantern Parade. In Korean, it is called Jedeung Haengnyeol. People hold bright lanterns and walk in a long line. When the sun goes down, the lanterns illuminate the dark street. Kids, parents, monks, and visitors all walk together. The long line of lights looks like a shining river moving slowly in the dark. The third part is the Big Lantern Show, or Jangeomdeung. Artists and volunteers spend weeks making huge lanterns in many shapes. Some look like lotus flowers. Some look like dragons. The lanterns are put all around the fortress. Visitors can see many beautiful lanterns during the festival.Where Did Lotus Lanterns Come From?This tradition is really old. It started during the Silla Dynasty. On Buddha's Birthday, people lit lanterns and prayed for peace, safety, and happiness. They thought the soft light could push away the dark and bring hope to everyone. After many years, this small action grew into a big national event. Today, the Korean “lotus lantern festival” is registered on the UNESCO list as a special part of world culture. Why Hold It at Haemieupseong?The reason for holding the festival at this specific fortress lies in its historical background. Haemieupseong was a strong military base in the Joseon Dynasty. Soldiers stayed here to protect the west coast of Korea. But the fortress also has a sad story. In the late Joseon period, many Catholic believers were caught and killed here. Consequently, Haemieupseong stands as a historical site filled with both glorious and painful memories. The Buddhist community in Seosan sought to bring healing and peace to this historical site. They wanted to comfort the people who had suffered here a long time ago. They also wanted to bring light to a place that had seen so much pain. So in 2015, they started the “lotus lantern festival” at Haemieupseong. By lighting thousands of lanterns inside the old walls, they hoped to change a sad place into a place of peace and warm memories.The Haemieupseong Lotus Lantern Festival offers an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Seosan in the spring.

Sports Competition Held at Asan Galsan Middle School

By Minjoo Koo, Asan Galsan Middle SchoolOn May 15th, Asan Galsan Middle School organized a fun and exciting sports competition. The event took place on the school field, and many students participated in different sports activities with their friends.The event included several games like tug of war, relay races, jump rope and many other activities. Each class formed teams and had the chance to practice together for a week. Teachers and students prepared a lot, hoping it would bring good results on the day of the event. Everyone was cheerful and energetic throughout the week, bringing positive energy to the event. Teachers and students prepared banners and customized team shirts to show team spirit throughout the day of the event. This showed great teamwork, emphasizing that cooperation could bring great success to the team. Students seemed to enjoy being free from academic stresses and felt a sense of joy they weren’t able to feel for a long time.After the sports competition, some students were interviewed about the event. “It was great to step out of the classroom and just run around with my friends,” said a second-grade student. Another student mentioned how meaningful it was to work together with friends, whether they won or not. Students cheered for each other even if they made a mistake, showing how students also valued cooperation and teamwork over success.The sports competition concluded with giving out awards to teams that had outstanding performance. The principal praised not just the winners but all the participants, emphasizing that the event was not about winning but learning teamwork with classmates. Students seemed to agree with the principal. After his speech, everyone gathered by classes and had time to encourage each other, showing respect and sportsmanship.As the event came to an end, students and teachers worked together to clean up the school field, showing responsibility until the very last moment. Students showed great personal growth while learning responsibility, collaboration, and sportsmanship. The 2026 Asan Galsan Middle School Sports Competition was a big success, encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Students enjoyed the activity a lot and are expecting the school to hold more events that encourage students to work as a team. Their mutual support as a team pushed them to grow as responsible members of the community.

Respecting different cultures by participating in World Traditional Game Activities

By Joo-won Kim, Yesan Middle SchoolStudents spent time in understanding cultures around the world through experiencing various countries’ traditional games.The World Traditional Game Activity was held in the Haebom class room at Yesan Middle School on May 13th. This event was designed to help students understand and respect different cultures.Students experienced traditional games from various countries such as Vietnam, Japan, Russia, and many more. Each game had a helper who was from the country, which made it easier for students to understand the rules. If students completed the missions in game, they received sweets. It was great to see students participating actively to get sweets. In particular, the Japanese traditional game booth named “Daruma Otoshi” was famous. One student who participated in it said, “By participating in different games, I learned about various countries and cultures.”Through this activity, the students realized that they can enjoy themselves together, though they have cultural differences. I hope this event will continue in the future.

Let’s enter the lights-off event!

By Subin Park, Onyang Girls Middle SchoolOn April 22, 2026, the Environmental Club of Onyang Girls' Middle School held a lights-off event with the aim of making efforts for the district, and many students participatedOnyang Girls Middle School's Environmental Club held many events to share what students can do for the earth. The Environmental Club of Onyang Girls Middle School, which celebrated Earth Day, held a lights-off event. The main purpose of the lights-off event was the participation of many students with the aim of trying to save the Earth. It is not easy for students to think of ways to protect the Earth or put them into practice. However, many students were able to contribute to protecting the Earth by turning off the lights for 10 minutes and developing their love for the Earth. Korean environmental organizations announced environmental crisis times every year, and the present state is "very anxious", and individual efforts are urgent. Under these circumstances, the Environmental Club's lights-off event is expected to have a very positive impact on global environmental protection. I interviewed Hyunseo Cho, the leader of the Club, about how the lights-off event produced the students' reactions and what they felt during the event. The leader of the club said, "Among the students' opinions, the most popular opinion was that they were proud to turn off the lights for 10 minutes a day. I felt proud because there were many participants, and I hope the number of global citizens who work for the planet will increase in the future," and said that it will continue to hold an environmental event that is simple but can be participated in by many students.Through the lights-off event, students were able to know the importance of individual work and the need to protect the environment. Participating in the lights-off event, although not for a long time, students could feel that their small actions could lead to a big change in protecting the Earth. As environmental protection is not an effort of a small group, but a task that all global citizens must practice, I look forward to participating in energy protection not only in Onyang Girls Middle School but also in many parts of the world. The Onyang Girls' Middle School Environmental Club will take the lead in protecting the global environment through more various environmental protection activities in the future, as well as lights-off events.

INJI Middle School First Grade Meets the Future

By Ha-yoon Lim, Inji Middle SchoolInji Middle School Students Participate in the ‘Jinro-eum’ Career Program at the Chungnam Career Convergence Education Center.Last Thursday, May 14th, Seosan Inji Middle School first-grade students went to the “Chungnam Career Convergence Education Center”. They experienced the Career-Linked Experiential Programs. These programs helped students explore various jobs in a future society. It became the starting point for thinking about their future.The center operates nine themed exhibition halls where students can experience future jobs. The most popular exhibition halls are “Future Mobility Become Reality”, “Multiply Future to Play and Work” and “New Life for the Isolated”. Students from Inji Middle School chose a hall that they were interested in and took part in various activities. Among them, the “New Life for the Isolated” hall focuses on medical technology. It shows how future medical technology can help people who face financial, physical, or regional difficulties. Students learned how science can help the vulnerable by playing games. Using concentration and trying the Human-Human Interface (HHI) to control each other’s movements. This experience-oriented learning helps teenagers prepare for a future full of robots and AI. A big advantage is that students can experience specific future jobs like “Smart Farm Builders”, “Genetic Engineers”, and “Computer Graphic Designers”, instead of just traditional jobs like farmers, doctors, or designers.However, students can’t explore all nine halls because of the limited time, and individual visitors find it difficult since most programs are for groups. Still, students can focus deeply on one chosen area and make learning very interesting. If these improvements are made in the future, it could become an even better career education center for the local community.

Chungnam Student English Press Corps, a Big Opportunity for Students.

By Taekyung OhYoung Voices, Global Stories: Chungnam’s English Press CorpsThe Chungnam Student English Press Corps was established in 2024 and is now in its third term. It was launched by the Chungcheongnam-do Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Ji-chul) to provide an official opportunity for students not only to learn English but also to use it. To earn this opportunity, students had to compete against many applicants from across the province. Consequently, the selection process was highly competitive. Getting used to using English in practice is an important and useful experience.The annual schedule of the Chungnam Student English Press Corps begins with student selection and basic article-writing training from March to April. From June to September, they use their basic skills and share their opinions about local news in English. In October, a special edition of the newspaper featuring their achievements will be published and distributed to schools at all levels in the province. At the end of the year, around November, we will celebrate our growth as global reporters by wrapping up the year's activities through activity reports and awarding excellent reporters.If someone joins the Chungnam Student English Press Corps, they not only learn English but also learn to overcome challenges and not give up in the face of difficulties.To those who are still on the fence about joining the press corps, Helen Keller said: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” As she suggested, life is better when you go for something rather than being in a dilemma.

Trip through history

By Yuju Oh, Buldang Middle SchoolHow much interest do teenagers nowadays have in our history? For 35 long years, Joseon was Japan’s colony. Back then, many attempts at independence were made. And in the result of that, many sacrifices were made, and much blood was spilled. However, thanks to many attempts and sacrifices, today we are an independent country. The Independence Hall is to honor our ancestors who sacrificed their own youth and lives to free our country from Japan.However, due to many enjoyable activities around us, we are missing the important things that are right under our noses. One of them is the history that Independence Hall provides and explains. Even though we do not recognize it, Independence Hall is providing different kinds of programs and activities to attract people's attention. To go further, there is an activity called “Saturday Picnic”. The meaning of “Saturday Picnic” is coming to the Independence Hall with families and exploring many displays related to history. All the people in Korea can participate, and every month a new activity is hosted. For example, for the upcoming June, a role play that has a topic of the students who took the lead to support independent movement is expected. Not only that in September (a roleplay of the independent movement that is held on the streets), in October (a roleplay of the independent movement that is held at the school), and in November (Pick me! Pick me!). Like this, all sorts of activities are planned. And the fee is completely free. To get specific information, enter the Independence Hall Homepage. (https://i815.or.kr/2018/main.do) Through this experience, adults, children alike, and all the families will all realize our history and our ancestors’ longing for independence, also feeling the heartbreaking history ourselves. By participating, we should know our painful history and independent movement, and the future we should proceed once more deeply into our hearts. Also, with this chance, what if teenagers go in person to the Independence hall and look through our ancestors’ dream? We must hope that Independence Hall is not a far place, but like a playground where children have fun.

How the Cooperation between the Government and Citizens Revived Jemincheon

By He-jung Jang, Hwanseo Middle SchoolIn Jemincheon, which is a village in Gongju, the government and citizens work together to solve the problem of the town’s decline including population decline and vacant buildings. As part of their efforts, they remodeled old houses and ran programs for youth. Thanks to these efforts, the village became neat.The Jemincheon area used to be representative of the old downtown of Gongju, where government offices, hospitals, and many boarding houses were located. But apartment complexes were created in the new downtown, and people moved away from the old downtown area. Even youth left the area to look for much better working environments. As a result, this phenomenon caused not only a population decrease but also the problem of an increase in the number of vacant houses. And the town declined.To solve this problem, the government and citizens joined forces. At first, the government provided funding for rebuilding old houses through a project called “Gongju Historic City Image Restoration Project.” Depending on the repair method, people could receive 150 million won as a maximum. One of the examples is that Mr. Kwon, who is the CEO of an urban regeneration startup, got support from that project and remodeled an old house. The space that he made by combining traditional and modern styles has become popular among young people. In addition, some young people have taken part in improving the village landscaping with the government’s support. For this reason, the village became a local attraction that many young people prefer.Also, the government made a community space for youth by remodeling vacant buildings. They additionally ran workshops for youth, such as site visits and cultural activities, and provided opportunities for starting businesses through educational activities. There is the representative program named “Do It Craft Villa”, which obtains a positive response because youth can prepare for running their own business through the program at an inexpensive office rental cost.The urban regeneration case of Jemincheon in Gongju is considered a successful example of positive regional change through active government support and participation of citizens. The once-declining old town is turning into a new cultural space through the efforts of youth and local people.

Handeulmulbit Middle School Holds the Book Presentation Contest

By Jimin Park, Handeulmulbit Middle SchoolThese days, concern about students’ poor reading skills has been increasing. To improve students’ reading skills, Handeulmulbit Middle School annually holds the Book Presentation Contest. This year, the school announced that the contest will be held on June 10.The Book Presentation Contest is an event where students introduce a book they chose to the audience with presentation slides they prepared. It focuses more on students’ thoughts and opinions rather than the summary of the book to encourage students to think deeply about the book’s message.Last year, there were so many students hoping to participate that the teachers had to hold a preliminary round. Students explored a variety of themes such as the resistance to dictatorship, overstudying, justice, and the shortage of trauma center doctors. Teachers are also expecting high-quality presentations this year.The goal of this contest is to help students form good reading habits through enhancing reading motivation and to develop students’ critical thinking and presentation skills by analyzing themes. The contest seems to be successful in that one student who participated in the contest last year said, “Thanks to the contest, I thought more about the book’s theme and it was a great chance to widen my thinking through listening to others’ presentations.”Many students are really looking forward to participating in the upcoming Book Presentation Contest. This contest of Handeulmulbit Middle School is expected to be a success, bringing out students’ creativity.

Lost in High School Admissions? Find Your Path with Chungnam’s Career Counseling

By Moa Kang, Tangjeong Middle SchoolFor students in their final year of middle school, high school admission is one of their major concerns, as it is often their first academic decision that they make for themselves. As education policies continue to change rapidly and admission processes become more complex, choosing a school that is best suited to each student has become increasingly important. However, many students are struggling to make admission decisions without having sufficient information. To solve this problem, the Career Convergence Education Center of the Chungnam Office of Education provides career counseling programs for students.The Chungnam Career Convergence Center, established in 2023, is an institute that offers diverse programs related to career planning and school admission for local middle school and high school students. It operates six counseling centers in total in Chungnam Province. In Asan, the counseling space is located on the first floor of the Baebang Youth Center. Students can receive professional one-on-one counseling about their careers and school admissions. After registering online and submitting their student records and report cards, they can receive counseling in various formats, including in-person, video call, phone call, and online sessions.Additionally, programs for parents are being offered, including “Parents’ Admission Information Session”, where they can gain practical information related to their children’s high school admission. The study session that was held last year in Asan helped parents to understand the admission trends, with the lecture about how to prepare for school life regarding the newly introduced ‘High School Credit System’.The advantage of this counseling program is that it offers personalized counseling that is tailored to each student. Students can explore different types of high schools and determine their admission direction based on their grade, interests, and career goals. Parents, as well, can become able to support their children’s high school admission according to credible information.High school admission is not just a process of choosing the next school, but might be the first step in planning students’ future possibilities. Although it is not widely known to students and parents, it is hoped that more people will be aware of and actively take advantage of such support programs.

Nature Heals the Future

By Soi Baek, Taean Girls' Middle SchoolThe 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo opened under the theme of ‘A Healthy Future, Gardening and Healing in Nature'. The press corps of Taean Girls' Middle School directly covered the opening ceremony site and event venue at the Anmyeondo Kkotji Coastal Park. The fair presents ecological practices in response to the climate crisis and is a venue for vivid education that teaches youth the healing value of nature."How do you relieve stress in your daily life? Have you ever been comforted walking between green plants?" The International Horticultural Healing Expo, which is now being held in Taean, our hometown, is a place to answer these questions. In line with the ecological value education that the Chungnam Office of Education aims for, this event shows how "horticulture," which grows plants protects the earth and "heals" the human mind.The opening ceremony site, which marked the beginning of the fair, was grand enough to attract the attention of people from all over the world. Spectacular lighting and performances were spread out in the crowd filling the auditorium, adding to the enthusiasm of the festival. A student who watched the opening ceremony in person, "I'm really proud that such a big international event was held in my hometown, and I was overwhelmed to see the colorful stage."This hot heat also led to the interior of the exhibition hall. Students directly touched the soil and planted companion plants in pots at the Healing Agricultural Hall and the Green Healing Hall, interacting with nature. A classmate met at the horticultural experience center said, "I was stressed out by preparing for the test, but walking in the fresh garden made me feel comfortable," adding, “I realized that nature, which we need to protect, rather comforts us."This fair gives us a clear message. The daily process of caring for plants itself becomes a meaningful practice in response to climate change. Gardening activities are in line with the carbon neutrality policy emphasized by Chungnam Education. The power to heal the future begins with individual small touches. The fair hopes that the green ecological "consciousness that bloomed through this fair will spread and all students will grow into 'ecological citizens' who value nature.

Cheonan Neighborhood Concert

By Seo-hyun Lee, Cheonan Bulmu Middle SchoolThe Cheonan City Arts Company is bringing performances straight to your neighborhood!The Cheonan City Arts Company held its Neighborhood Concert in 2026. The “Neighborhood Concert” is a friendly program for citizens. It brings musicians and performers directly to apartment complexes to perform on wonderful shows for the residents. It helps people who cannot easily go to concert halls to enjoy performances nearby. Usually, big concerts are held in Seoul or other big cities, making it difficult for people in regional areas to attend them. However, thanks to this event, neighbors could spend time together and enjoy music.In this year’s performance, four art groups participated in Cheonan, such as the Cheonan Symphony Orchestra, the City Pungmul Organization, the City Dance Company, and the Orchestra of Traditional Music. They presented a variety of genres by playing diverse music, creating a show that everyone could enjoy.This program is open to apartment complexes and village communities in Cheonan. To apply, interested communities just need to email their application form along with a personal information consent form. To ensure fair opportunities, places that have already hosted the "Our Neighborhood Concert" before cannot apply this time. After the application period ends, the final venues will be chosen through a public draw. The apartment management office or village community hosts this event, so chairs or refreshments are not provided in some cases.It would be a good idea to hold interactive performance concerts where children can touch and play familiar classical instruments such as violins and cellos. Since many children do not have opportunities to see these instruments closely, these experiences could help them enjoy music more and become interested in classical performances.