Best People of 2018

Calling Oakland, California home, Ryan Coogler didn’t aspire to become a screenwriter of spectacular, ground-breaking motion pictures, but envisioned himself playing under the lights of a football stadium. It wasn’t until his college professor questioned his aspirations, advocating for Coogler to take up screenwriting, that would eventually lead him to become one of four black directors in 2018...

This November, Democrats won the House of Representatives after eight years of Republican control. There were several notable victories, including Ilhan Omar’s election as the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, Jared Polis’s victory as the first openly gay governor of Colorado, and Sharice Davids’ victory as the first Native American woman elected to Congress. However, among all these in...

On February 14, 2018, a mass shooting took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Activist Emma Gonzalez — a senior at the time of the massacre — stood up to gun control legislators and called “B.S.” Gonzalez channeled her heartbreak into a fight for reform, justice and survivors’ voices to be heard. Two days after the devastating Valentine’s Day, Gonzalez was a...

Basketball icon and global superstar, LeBron James, had an amazing year in 2018. In his 15 seasons in the NBA, James endured a lot of turmoil with the rusty Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite a subpar roster, James shocked the world by willing his team into the playoffs and winning the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the historic Boston Celtics in seven games. The series solidified James’ spot as one...

Kate Spade changed the fashion industry for forever. She created affordable bags that are stylish and look amazing. Spade grew up in Missouri and went to an all-girls school for most of her educational career. She was working at a retail store and noticed how there were no stylish and practical bags, so she decided to make her own. The Kate Spade company has won many awards for the outstanding w...

Representing the United States is not an easy task, yet Simone Arianne Biles makes it seem so effortless. First female African-American all-around world champion, first woman gymnast to win three consecutive World all-around titles, and first American woman in 23 years to win three all-around national titles, are just a few accomplishments the 21-year-old has made. Even if you aren’t familiar with her prev...

Alexandra Raisman, also known as Aly Raisman, is a two time Olympic gold medalist gymnast for USA Gymnastics (USAG). She is known for her incredible gymnastics talent and her strong leadership abilities. She served as the USAG team captain in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Raisman uses her leadership skills beyond the gymnastics arena. Beginning in 2017, Raisman became a potent voice for the #...

Avril Ramona Lavigne is a 34-year-old, Canadian singer who is commonly known for her hit single “Girlfriend,” released in 2007. She commenced her career at the age of 14 when she won a contest to sing a duet with Canadian celebrity Shania Twain. Before then, Lavigne sang at church and local gigs in Ontario, where she grew up. She was raised under the Christian faith and was restricted to listening...

I nominated Demi Lovato as the Person of The Year because she went through so much, and made it on the other side a better person. Lovato was sober for seven years and suddenly went off the deep end in August of 2018. Lovato wrote a song telling her fans that she wasn’t sober anymore, back in June of 2018, and they were worried for her and her well being. She overdosed on narcotics, such as cocaine a...

Michelle Robinson Obama, also known as “FLOTUS 44,” or the “Forever First Lady,” has my vote for the Best Person of 2018. Mrs. Obama’s most notable accomplishment for the year was her groundbreaking book release “Becoming.” Selling more than 2 million copies in 15 days, Mrs. Obama’s book was Barnes and Noble’s fastest selling book of the year. Writing the book itself is a great accomp...

Modern-day activists are crucial to the contemporary civil rights movement that is sweeping both the United States and the entire world. The man who has caught my attention, as someone who aspires to cause positive change in a world where, quite often, it seems as though there isn’t any hope, is Shaun King. To have the emotional strength, compassion, and motivation to work around the clock is somet...