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The Wave
The Wave is where all aspects of Next Wave come together to form one community. Dive into a collection of features, submissions, updates, resources and more.
Submissions Are Now Open for the Next Wave Summer Showcase. Here's What You Need to Know in Order to Submit
The Next Wave Summer Showcase is an online youth creative competition and digital exhibition created to celebrate teen artists, writers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators across the East Coast. Through submissions, features, and awards, the showcase aims to highlight the ideas, creativity, and voices of the next generation while giving students a platform to be recognized beyond the classroom and their local communities. Selected creators will be featured through t
Jun 32 min read
Useless Words by Reva V
Useless words: Words are spoken continuously every day. Some have significance, an impact on the lives of many. Breaths held as words hold anticipation, lives determined by each syllable spoken from a piece of paper or mind. Emotions rely on words; words rely on emotions. A small slip of paper, passed around the beige school desks, impacting the impressionable lives. “Beautiful,” a word so simple yet so meaningful to the world. It makes one’s day brighter than the last, lik
May 272 min read
I’m Right Behind You by Riley H
I’ll never see you again you’ll be gone without a trace I’ll go about the rest of my days missing your kind, sweet, pretty face my timing is impeccable I knew you’d be leaving and yet I still chose to cling to the impossible all I’ll have left is memories I can’t let go. Laughter shared and stolen glances never mine to keep I guess and I swear I’ll always remember how good you looked in that dress so take my tokens of appreciation and go live the life you’re meant to live I’m
May 271 min read
The House Stays Silent by Nithishti Sriram
Through bleary eyes the house watches, a careful eye darting between its three levels and gently monitoring the front lawns of the house. It watches as the night sky begins to pale, a calm blue taking over as the moon fades from view, the blazing sun blotted at the edges, merging into the pale blue of the sky. Birds chirped from the trees surrounding the house, a late wake-up call as the house began to bustle with noise. The first inhabitant slinks down the stairs, rubbing a
Jan 164 min read
November Prompts and Inspiration
November is that perfect in-between month. Hopefully you've already gotten adjusted to the swing of the school year, winter is around the corner and so is the holiday season. This month is all about taking a breath and slowing down to find the beauty and meaning in the things you don't often take the time out to acknowledge. The simple stuff that makes life feel warm, calm, or even a little nostalgic. It’s also the season to reflect, to think about how far you’ve come this ye
Oct 27, 20252 min read
Look Don’t Touch by Briana Johnson (Colorado, 16)
About This Piece I did this artwork because I’m mixed with black and white and I’ve always felt out of place like I’m too white for black...
Oct 11, 20251 min read
13 by Riley H
Why do you sit alone And why do I love it so much? It may be unintentional Or purposefully unconventional But every day it’s just such A fascinating topic to discuss Only from a distance, of course I sit across the way Admiring day by day Your silence only does enforce The idea that we Could not be any more different I’m glaringly bright You hold secrets like the night And my heart can’t prepare for the imminent Fall because you see I’m a tale as old as time Opposites attract
Oct 4, 20251 min read
What’s Next for Themes at Next Wave
When we launched our very first monthly theme in September (Fresh Starts), we were so excited to try something new for our community: a...
Oct 1, 20252 min read
Fresh Starts
There’s something special about September. It feels like the ultimate reset button—new classes, new routines, new friends, and new...
Sep 29, 20251 min read
Reminder: "Fresh Starts" Will be Up in 4 Days!
We can’t believe how quickly this month has flown by, and that means it’s almost time to wrap up September’s theme: Fresh Starts. This...
Sep 25, 20251 min read
Remember Me by Riley H
To be immortalized by words seems like a faraway dream Others have done it, sure but what quality must I have to deem Myself worthy to be...
Sep 2, 20251 min read
September's Submission Theme: "Fresh Starts"
We’re so excited to share our very first monthly theme here at Next Wave! September’s theme is: Fresh Starts. *Before we dive in,...
Aug 31, 20252 min read
Submissions Are Now Open. Here's What You Need to Know.
You’ve been working hard on something amazing. Maybe it’s a painting you’ve poured weeks into, a poem you wrote that just stuck, or a big...
Aug 5, 20252 min read
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