Grades 11–12
NarrativeWritingMy home, these dirty projects. I remember being young and playing outside, constant water fights, and flashlight tag. It often smells like lighter fluid when it first starts burning. It smells like whatever your neighbor is cooking, and if it’s love, they’ll bring you a plate.
When you pull in, people stare if you’re not recognizable. But if they recognize you, they welcome you before you even get to your house door by making sure you’re straight. It’s different from what it used to look like. There’s hella people now. It’s crowded and there’s no parking. These buildings used to be brown and beige. Now they’re painted ugly blues and grays. I guess they were going for depression modern, but at least we got to keep the murals. Murals of kids playing outside and Black activists to remind them of their innocence and the powerful people they aspire to be. People of all ages fighting to keep what’s left of our home. Now we’re always being questioned about who is coming in and out of our home.
With the remodeling changes came more rules and restrictions on what you can do. I feel like they do it on purpose to evict us. Kicking out the communities that were there so white people can move in and make more money. It’s home and it’s a place that other people dread to live in. To me, it’s the most comfortable place. I can’t go anywhere else and feel this safe. It’s all I’ve known. The memories make it special, people that I’ve met, sisters, brothers, and aunties not by blood, but by love.
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by Kailyn Espinosa, 826NYC
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by Helen, Grade 12, 826 MSP
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by Kaleo V.C., Age 17, 826 Valencia
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by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
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by Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
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by Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
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by Gisel J., 826LA
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by Joanne H, 826 Valencia
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by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC
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by Kayla, 826 Boston
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by Ryan, Grade 12, 826 Boston
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by Cristina, 826CHI
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by Terra C., Grades 10-11, 826NYC
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by Camille, 826LA
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by Maria, Grade 12, 826 Boston
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by Sarah X. Age 18, 826Boston
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by Maya M., Grade 11, Newburg, OR
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by Karla M., 826LA
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by Soraya, 826NYC
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by Katya Torres, The 826 Dallas Project
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by Kayla Wayne, Grade 11, 826NYC
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by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Nhu N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.
by Sarah X., Grade 12, 826 Boston
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by Elsy M.E., Grade 11, 826 Valencia
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by Melody Marcano, 826 Boston
In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.
Cate H, Grade 12, 826CHI
A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.
by Arianna R., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A beautiful ode to home and self.
by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project
In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
A trans student reflects on their desire to be male.
by George S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A writer implores people to get outside and touch grass because you never know what you might find!
by Karina Centeno, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
This poem takes an honest look at two sides of the writer's culture.
by Jesus C., Grade 12, 826LA
A poet identifies with a trapped ocelot at the zoo.
by Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC
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by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Isaiah, 826 New Orleans
This student reveals the mysterious origin story of the king cake. Hint: it includes Big Freedia, DJ Chicken Wing, and a massive party.
by Franny, 826CHI
A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.
by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student describes how volunteering saved him from his online prison.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.
by Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.
by Oriel, 826NYC
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Alexis G., Grade 11
In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.
by Lukoiy V.R.G., Grade 12, Woodburn, OR
A poet speaks out as a voice for change and all those who cannot speak.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
by Terry Velasquez, Grade 12, The Bronx, NY
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by Albin C., Age 18, 826 Boston
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by Tammy Fong, 826NYC
A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.
by Matthew Inoa, 826 NYC
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student describes how essential workers are the pulse of New York, fueling the city’s hope.
by Jahruwach Hamilton, 826NYC
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
by Brandon R., 826LA
A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
Yamilet J., 826LA
A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.
Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.
by Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National
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by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
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by Quardasha Mitchell, The 826 Dallas Project
In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
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by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
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by Justis Porter, age 16, 826 Boston
A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.
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