Sometimes when I read the news or watch on TV, I worry a little bit about the future.

It seems like we are just in a mess, and I look at my 12-year-old daughter and wonder what she will be dealing with in 10 years.

But I’m not so worried anymore, especially after working with more than 30 teens for our April edition of Views & Voices.

Initially I was wondering if I would be dealing with some teen attitude but not only did they get every story in early, the stories of these up-and-coming writers in our community was impressive.

Some of our impressive youth include Miss Pennsylvania’s 2006 Outstanding Teen Tawni Darby of Hermitage, prom planner Landis Erwin of Greenville, crafty businesswoman Cicely Winder of Wolf Creek Township and star-in-the-making Sara Michelle Liska of Hermitage.

Learn about what’s on the minds of McKenzie Astey and Ashley Harmon of Sharon or Ariel Flint of Farrell; listen as Amanda Castellan of New Wilmington shares her faith; make the recipes of Amber Chambers of Coolspring Township, and check out the cool prom fashions with our local models spotlighting local businesses.

A funky craft, Paige Polesnak’s High School Guide to Cliques, and a poem by Hannah Alexander of Sharon, and a few other interesting features round out our teen edition of V&V.

Don’t dismiss what our teens have to say.

Like myself, you will be very impressed with their thoughts and words.

And like myself, you’ll feel much better about the future.

Sherris Moreira-Byers is editor of Views & Voices, a magazine for women.