People leave a mark in our lives that will forever stay with us; this essay is a love letter to everyone that has influenced me and put me on the path I am now traveling.
The Lifelong Gift
Identity
Running Towards Self-Care
This is what an injury taught me about self-care.
Mi Dos Casitas
Highlighting the beauty of my two colorful homes.
Still Her Words Come
I’ve got a lot of opinions, and I want to speak out. Still, I struggle to deal with doubts, to find the right words, to steel myself for the comments from those who disagree.
mama, they asked for an artist’s statement
Why do I write? / Why do I do this to myself? How do I stop? / How can I stop?
Chapter One of Untitled YA Novel
This is the beginning of a book I am planning to write, based on a true story of my realizing that I liked a girl for the first time.
Where I’m From
This is a poem about where I’m from as a 16-year-old, born and raised in Queens, New York in a small family of four.
I used to hate the rain
Acceptance comes after the storm. It poured and poured.
a lesson in pressure & prestige
Written after submitting my Early Decision application, this essay shares the epiphany I was already having—one expedited by a choice that held so much weight over my future.
Take Space, Make Space
While I used to feel fractured when it came to my heritage, poetry has helped me realize that these fractures are, in fact, who I am.
Racing
I’ll get there one day.
Patriarchal Pledge
I wrote this to show the patriarchal practices of saying the Pledge of Allegiance and what it truly means to stand for the flag, from the perspective of an American and an immigrant.
bloodline
A pair of poems inspired by the title “bloodline” and the poets’ own heritages and culture. How do our family and our history connect and define us to ourselves and to others?
Inside Look with Claire McLaughlin & Willow Locke
Claire interviews Willow, who wrote a piece on racism and discrimination in the criminal justice system. In it, she talked to Peter, who was incarcerated in New York State from age 20 to 30, and questions whether our prison system is effective.
Letter of Recommendation: Rice Cookers
There is no kitchen appliance more magical than a rice cooker. Compact, electric and brimming with tasty grains, it holds a special place in our hearts. Here, we pay tribute to the rice cooker.