Writing took me with open arms and accepted me for who I am.
Bold
things i couldn’t tell you: pieces from an incomplete love story
A series of poems offer a small window into a passionate and debilitating relationship, of which our narrator discloses the intricacies and afflictions of the love she endured.
Once Upon A Very Dirty Borough
The Princess of New York City struggles to literally find her voice and come into her inheritance—a stutter, and the power to speak.
On the Intersection Between Teenage Sexuality and the Objectivity of Women Across Races
This piece analyzes a girl’s friendship with a boy at school, one that shows her that taking ownership of her sexual desires should be done without shame.
The Ice Cliffs
The themes in this poem sparked from an adventure in Lake Placid when I was visiting with my family. We went on a frozen nature walk and saw these gigantic ice cliffs.
Where Are the Children?
We wrote stories based on old nursery rhymes, giving them a new twist. Ivy’s story “Where Are the Children?” is a reimagining of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin,” which Kathleen has illustrated.
2020
We decided to each write a poem about 2020 to highlight the fact that we’re two different people, coming from two different backgrounds, who shared the same year.
blue.
My poetry focuses on feminism in an abstract and lyrical way. The title and content reflect the color blue in Hindu mythology as well as the colloquial use of “feeling blue” to describe depression.
Lyz and Maya Swap Genres
When we first met as mentor and mentee, we began exploring each other’s writing tastes. Sure, we had a lot in common but we also had our strengths and weaknesses as awesome writers. We decided to swap our favorite genres of writing, and provide rules and guidelines for each other to see what developed when we pushed ourselves out of our writing comfort zones.
What Really Happens in the White House
On What Really Happens in the White House, we get the inside scoop from some of the Presidents’ helpers. And it’s likely not who you expected. Today we’re talking to none other than… the Presidents’ First Pets!
For All the Choices Given to the One Taken
I wrote this piece to emphasize the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. Throughout history, social justice leaders have fought both within the system and against it. In my piece, different women have to make a similar choice in how they choose to fight against discrimination.
Monolid
This piece describes my experience growing up with beauty standards. It highlights my first encounter with eyelid tape and the contrast between East Asian and Western notions of beauty.
In and Out of the Struggle
I tried to be different this year and not make a piece about me or my family but I failed terribly. This piece shows how I am no different from anyone and how I can make my mark in my community by creating awareness of the issues in NYC.
Those Who Came Before
This short story is inspired by Mohsin Hamid’s novel Exit West. For Lana, the protagonist, taking her place in history means being the person who studies and gives a voice to the stories of those silenced.
Letting Go
This piece is dedicated to the past me who struggled so hard to find her place.