Youth Voices Rising: What West Virginia Teens Need, According to Miss Teen Multifest

By Malia Courts

This story is part of Youth Voices Rising, a Black By God narrative-change project supported by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.

When I came home to West Virginia from Miss Black USA Nationals, I wanted to hear from a teen queen here. I asked Serenity Peoples, Miss Teen Multifest 2026, what she wished our communities offered young people. She wants teens to have more places to go, more chances to try something new and more adults willing to hear what we think.

“Adults can help by listening to us instead of always telling us what to do,” Peoples said.

She told me that some teenagers want to get out of the house and do something beyond being on their phones or playing video games. They may have trouble finding activities for their age group or knowing how to ask for them. Peoples pointed to sports, clubs, art and leadership activities as ways teens can discover what they enjoy. She also wants programs where young people can learn practical life skills and help with issues in their own communities.

When I asked what challenges weigh on young people, Peoples talked about the pressure to figure out what comes after high school. She’s weighing two paths herself. She could become a paramedic or join the Air Force to work in cybersecurity. Between school, family and friends, it can feel like a lot to sort out. She wants teens to hear from adults who can share what they’ve learned and encourage them as they make those choices.

“But kids need comfort. They need someone to motivate them,” she said.

Bullying is another concern for Peoples. She told me about a friend who had been threatened by other students. She also worries about young people who get singled out because they have a disability. As Miss Teen Multifest, she hopes to set an example and encourage people to look out for others in their community.

“Your talents are yours, and you have a voice to speak out and carry your own power,” Peoples said.

Her answer made me think about where young people get to speak up in West Virginia. Some of us are too young to vote. We may never get asked what we think at a council meeting, even when adults are making decisions we’ll live with. When something in our community needs to change, we should feel like we can say so and know someone will listen.

This story is part of Black By God’s Youth Voices Rising series.