Grades 11–12
NarrativeWriting
Leydi Di Villanueva was born in Dallas, Texas. She is a senior in high school and hopes to one day become an ER Doctor. She loves her family and friends, and has a weird obsession with trees. Tequila (her dog) is her biggest pride and love.
Funny. Ever since I arrived, humans have stayed home. They try and avoid contact with me. I would even go as far as saying that they don’t like me very much. I mean…I guess I don’t blame them. If our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t like me very much either. I am hurting people and the economy? I am not really sure what that means yet, considering I’ve only been alive for less than a year. I have however, learned how to evolve. Isn’t that what you humans admire, the development and evolvement of a person? That’s exactly what I am doing, it’s not my fault that I’m stronger than you. And while I am, well more or less spreading faster than the air y’all breathe, you humans should be more focused on the lies your government is telling you. They created me. Come on now, that should be obvious, look at all the celebrities that were suddenly “infected” by me? Telling you to listen to the government. To stay home. To use masks, so that you won’t be infected by me? Listen I know I am strong and can spread fast, but don’t you think it’s a little weird how celebrities don’t die, but are rather cured, while regular people do die. Let me tell you why I never infected them, because your government, the one who is supposed to protect you, created me, and paid celebrities to say they were infected, so that they could be safe from me. Now whether or not you believe me-well that’s up to you.
Moving on anyway. You should be thanking me. Before me, everyone complained about school. Now you don’t have to wake up early and go to school every day. Before me, your planet was dying. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still dying, but at least population levels have dropped. I mean people in India can now see the Himalaya Mountains in parts of India you couldn’t before. Before me, everyone was always stuck on their phones 24/7. Now you value friends and family time. Before me, I bet you didn’t even go for a walk and interact with nature. Now you do. I did that. I brought you, humans, closer to together. If I am being honest, you should be thanking me. But instead, you’re trying to get rid of me. I’m hurt, but this- this is the animal kingdom and out here-it’s survival of the fittest and you’re no longer at the top.
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by Princess McDowell, the 826 Dallas Project
by Princess McDowell, the 826 Dallas Project
Whether students write to process, to remember, to imagine, or to heal, this collection of prompts asks students to recognize…
Faceless: Untold Side Effects of Culture, Race, & COVID-19 is a collection of student writing that spans genre, space and time before, during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Supported by The 826 Dallas Project as part of their first-ever Young Authors Book Project, students from two Ethnic Studies courses at Trinidad Garza Early College High School in Dallas, Texas wrote honest and searing works that weigh the longstanding sins of American racism with the new realities of virtual learning and social distancing.
by Abby S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
An author reflects on their correspondence with their friend from the past.
by Kaleo V.C., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.
by Oriel, 826NYC
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
by Franny, 826CHI
A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Maya M., Grade 11, Newburg, OR
A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.
by Jesus C., Grade 12, 826LA
A poet identifies with a trapped ocelot at the zoo.
by Elsy M.E., Grade 11, 826 Valencia
A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.
by Raheem, 826 New Orleans
A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
by Melody Marcano, 826 Boston
In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
by Quardasha Mitchell, The 826 Dallas Project
In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.
by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Camille, 826LA
A student finds her wings in unexpected places in this piece about the transition to college.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
by Maria, Grade 12, 826 Boston
In this public narrative, a student makes the case for creating community change by building youth centers in her neighborhood.
by Gisel J., 826LA
The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.
by Sarah X. Age 18, 826Boston
A rousing public narrative from an author coming to terms with their identity as a young Chinese American woman and what they represent: the community of Boston's Chinatown.
by Helen, Grade 12, 826 MSP
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a senior at South High School in Minneapolis offers words of support to healthcare workers across the country, including her own mom.
by Joanne H, 826 Valencia
In this poem, a student’s experiences in two countries meld together as she seeks out her true home.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
by Katya Torres, The 826 Dallas Project
This bilingual poem explores the harrowing story of a boy working while in school to save his mother.
by Corazón, 826 New Orleans
In this essay, a student threads their identity across cultures, histories, and places, engaging with legacies of violence and the movement of people.
by Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC
This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.
by Terra C., Grades 10-11, 826NYC
A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.
by Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."
Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
A trans student reflects on their desire to be male.
by Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.
by Augustus Griffith Jr., 826 National
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem explores the aftermath and lasting impacts of school shootings.
by Lisbeth M.F., 826NYC
A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.
by Kayla, 826 Boston
This poem offers a very-real answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
by Kailyn Espinosa, 826NYC
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares how essential workers’ courage and compassion center her during these hectic times.
by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.
by Albin C., Age 18, 826 Boston
A student recalls how he was able to take charge and turn his life around.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.
by Karla M., 826LA
A poem for lovers of love and the moon.
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 Sergio M, 826 Valencia
This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.
by Nhu N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A young writer reconciles their sexuality with the beliefs of their community.
by Terry Velasquez, Grade 12, The Bronx, NY
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares gratitude for the dedication of nurses and gives “credit where credit is due.”
by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.
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 Tammy Fong, 826NYC
A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.
by Lukoiy V.R.G., Grade 12, Woodburn, OR
A poet speaks out as a voice for change and all those who cannot speak.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.
by Jahruwach Hamilton, 826NYC
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
by Ryan, Grade 12, 826 Boston
In this public narrative, a student illustrates the hardships his uncle has faced to argue for a path to citizenship.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Tina N., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A student describes their shark like imaginary friend.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
A student writes to a grandmother she never met.
by Numan Khan, age 16, 826 Boston
A bilingual "I am" poem filled with conviction and courage.
by Soraya, 826NYC
This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.
Cate H, Grade 12, 826CHI
A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.
by Kayla Wayne, Grade 11, 826NYC
In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.
by Karina Centeno, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
This poem takes an honest look at two sides of the writer's culture.
by Justis Porter, age 16, 826 Boston
A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.
by Samuel Wang, Grade 10, 826NYC
A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.
by Arianna R., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A beautiful ode to home and self.
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
by Cristina, 826CHI
A student recounts separation with a beloved friend through a nostalgic lens.
by Sarah X., Grade 12, 826 Boston
A student shares how they've uplifted their community.
by Henry F., Grade 12, 826CHI
In this poem, a student reflects on identity.
by Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.
by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
by Riti Shrestha, 826NYC
In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.
Yamilet J., 826LA
A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.
by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project
In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view
by Brandon R., 826LA
A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.
by Junaynah R., Grade 11, 826NYC
Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.
by Izzy T., 826 Valencia
A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.
by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC
In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student describes how volunteering saved him from his online prison.
by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.
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 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.
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