Everything You Need to Know About Sheyla

By Sheyla Javier

Process

I created this project at the first Girls Write Now workshop. After downloading the Canva app, my mentor Shannon and I familiarized ourselves with it. Because I’m not so tech-savvy, I did encounter some obstacles with adding extra visual elements to the project, but after exploring the app, I eventually got the hang of it. I knew I wanted to keep it informative yet simplistic so that others could learn more about me.

Meet the Pair

Mentee Sheyla Javier & Mentor Shannon Carlin

Sheyla’s Anecdote: The first pieces of writing I shared with Shannon were a collection of poems I wrote freshman year. Little did I know I would be submitting them into the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and later sharing them for other people to hear. I thank her for helping me find my voice through writing. Shannon encourages me to do my best when it comes to reaching deadlines, sharing my pieces, and really anything in general. She’s always listening to the stories I share with her about school, my childhood, and what makes up the kind of person I am.

Shannon’s Anecdote: Sheyla loves naps, which as someone who can’t sleep once the sun comes up, I thoroughly respect. What I also respect is just how hard Sheyla pushes herself. Maybe it’s because she was a competitive gymnast (!!!), but I believe it’s just who she is. She’s always striving to do better. Not only in her writing but everything. She set a goal to read her poetry out loud, and midway through the year, she did it. I’m so excited to see what else she accomplishes in the future. Who knows, she might even convince me to love naps, too.