There are conversations that leave an imprint.

Ones you replay over and over again.

Talking with Tanner Alestra, National Civics Bee Regional Finalist and second-place winner, was one such conversation.

An eighth-grader at White House Middle School, Tanner was recommended by Gallatin Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kim Baker. It took less than five minutes for me to understand why.

Walking into the coffee shop, Tanner shook my hand and looked me directly in the eye. He did something many teens in a post-2020 world often find challenging: he connected with a stranger.

With his mom and dad seated at the table, I placed my phone flat on the table and started the audio recording.

"Is that okay?" I asked.

Tanner nodded.

No hesitation.

And he never once hesitated to share his story.

It wasn't simply about his placement in the Civics Bee. His story is about navigating hardship, battling bullies, and finding a solution that could help others.

Participation in the Civics Bee begins with identifying a problem and developing a solution, encouraging students to see challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities. Tanner chose to draw from his own experience, allowing authenticity and raw reality to strengthen his argument.

Tanner and his family moved to White House just two years ago.

As the moving boxes were unpacked, another reality surfaced—some people choose to bully.

For nearly a year and a half, Tanner faced cyberbullying. A classmate discovered his YouTube channel, where he says he mostly posted "silly stuff for fun." Before long, the attacks began.

Faceless.

Cowardly.

Cutting.

"I didn't want anyone to get in trouble," Tanner told me. "You never know what someone is going through or what's causing them to hurt other people."

Feeling like I needed to stamp those words across the foreheads of some adults, emotion caught in my throat.

"That's incredibly insightful of you, Tanner," I replied.

He simply nodded.

"Are you sure you're okay with me sharing this part of your story?" I asked.

Again, no hesitation.

"Yes, ma'am."

The attacks continued and eventually led to the identification of the student responsible and school intervention.

Tanner's dad, Jason, added, "Cyberbullying often leads to in-person bullying, and that was the case for Tanner."

But Tanner didn't shrink back.

He created a solution.

After researching Tennessee's cyberbullying laws, Tanner discovered a gap. While penalties exist, many consequences primarily affect older teens who have driver's licenses. His proposal focused less on punishment and more on education.

Tanner suggested requiring students found guilty of cyberbullying to complete a digital ethics course and demonstrate what they've learned through an in-person assessment. His reasoning was simple: if students truly understand the impact of their actions, they're less likely to repeat them.

He even identified existing resources, including Common Sense Media's digital citizenship curriculum, as a framework schools could adapt for different age groups.

In a world quick to cancel, Tanner's solution focused on teaching.

In a culture eager to punish, Tanner chose understanding.

And then he stood before judges, community leaders, and fellow students to defend that idea.

The result?

A second-place finish in the regional competition and an opportunity to continue representing our community. The Tennessee State Finals are happening today, June 24th, at the Tennessee State Museum.

Tanner will keep traveling in July as he heads to Washington, D.C., to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. He will carry with him not only his accomplishments but also the wisdom that adversity can become purpose.

Tanner, keep leaving your mark.

Our world is better because you choose to leave a positive, powerful imprint.

Editor's Note: Positive news often begins with a negative circumstance. Let Tanner's story inspire you. It isn't what happens to you that defines you. It's how you respond to it and how much influence you allow it to have. Choose joy. Choose hope. Choose strength. Then watch your own beautiful story unfold.

Photos courtesy of the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce.