The Feature
Editor’s note
Most of my time goes into building things. Writing is how I check whether I actually understand what I’m building, and why it matters. These essays are where I argue with myself on paper — about AI, economics, and the systems kids grow up inside.
— Aarav Kalra
Writing honors
- Bronze Medal
Bronze Medal, Singularity AI Essay Contest Top 6 worldwide · 500+ entrants from 50 countries · Grade 11
- National Finalist
National Finalist, Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest Top 8, high-school division · Grade 11
- High Commendation
High Commendation, John Locke Global Essay Prize Science & Technology · ~Top 3% of 100,000+ · 2026
- Commendation
Commendation, John Locke Global Essay Prize Economics · ~Top 10% of 100,000+ · 2026
- Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention, Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition Senior Division · Top 10% of 15,000+ · 2026
- High Honors
High Honors, Lumiere Scholars Essay Award 2026
In this issue
- 01 Grade 11
Singularity AI Essay Contest · Bronze medal
A Market of One: Education as the World’s First Structural Adaptation to AI
Argued that AI-personalized learning should be the world’s central structural adaptation to AI, built as public infrastructure and deployed first where schools have failed most.
- 02 Grade 11
Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest · National finalist
Don't Bench Your Veterans
Argued that congressional term limits would hand lobbyists a permanent expertise advantage, and that ranked-choice voting is a better path to accountability.
- 03 2026
John Locke Global Essay Prize · High Commendation
No Easy Buckets
Argued that politeness toward ChatGPT encourages flattery and undermines critical thinking.
- 04 2026
John Locke Global Essay Prize · Commendation
The Price of Being Yourself
Explored how personalized pricing threatens consumer privacy and creates markets for digital identities.
- 05 2026
Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition · Honourable Mention
Why Moonshots Compound and Increments Cannot
Argued that government investment in ambitious scientific projects drives long-term innovation and progress.
- 06 2026
Lumiere Scholars Essay Award · High Honors Award
Dissolving Bloom's Barrier: Generative AI and the End of the Quality–Scale Tradeoff in Education
Explored how AI can make personalized tutoring accessible to all students while supporting teachers.