Maria Galstyan, age 16

This song is about the fear of growing up and not knowing who you want to be — something that I’ve struggled with and seen others struggle with as well.

When They Step Up

Verse
It’s the supposed age of innocence
Yet she’s told to get a bit of competence
Because the world won’t tolerate it
If you’re anything but what they created

She’s climbing up a twisted ladder
Tryna climb up the steps that matter
But what if she’s too young to climb
What if she’s wasting her time

Chorus
I hope that she sees
That not everyone must
Follow the same cluster of steps 

I hope that she sees
That she still has time to decide
What she must do when she steps up