Our Names Were Written In Stone

Stories Written by 9th and 10th Graders at Academy for Young Writers

826NYC Books 372 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 Our Names Were Written in Stone Š 2020 by 826NYC and the authors. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

First 826NYC edition 2020 Manufactured in the United States of Brooklyn 978-1-948644-49-5 The writing in this book was produced in 2019-20 school year at 826NYC’s In-schools Publishing Project at Academy for Young Writers. The classes were run by Matthew Thompson with the support of Lucia Brockway, Jaclyn Reyes, and Keeyah Hicks as well as 826NYC writing mentor, Cole Stallone.

Designed by Phong Tran Edited and proofread by Christopher Ahearn, Liz Sullivan, Chelsea Bonollo, and Olivia Kielczewski Printed by Bookmobile This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, The Jane Friedman Anspach Family Foundation, The Hawkins Project, The Minerva Foundation, The Resnick Family Foundation, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, and The Susan Stein Shiva Foundation. The following individuals have provided donations to support our programs: Aziz Ansari, Ray and Ami Carpenter, Sarah Connolly, Amir Mokari, Tammy Oler and Ehren Gresehover, David and Lori Schnadig, Jason Sinay, Alyson Stone, Maura Tierney, and Ted Wolff and Anne Clarke-Wolff. Additional support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts.

To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

826NYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages six to eighteen with their creative and expository writing skills and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

Our services are structured around our belief that great leaps in learning can happen with oneon-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Our Names Were Written in Stone Stories Written by 9th and 10th Graders at Academy for Young Writers

Table of Contents 9th Grade Stories Tasteful BBQ by Adam Mobley Jr. 13 One Day by Adrian Mejia 15 Kind of Lonely Until by Anaya Lewis 16 Phone by Andre Ford 17 Hennessy by Antoinette Gamble 18 Portugal by Ariel Molina Gonzalez 19 July 12th by Brianna Curbelo 20 Graduation by Canora Hepburn 21 Kernardia by Cassandra McGann 22 When the clock strikes 12 by Delilah Rodrigo 23 Foodie by Elvis Coronado 24 Silly Argument by Emani Moore 25 Lust For Hope by Emmanuel Harper 26 Speak by Enyer Abreu 27 La Isabela by Fremmy Ceballos 28 Tiger by Jaeden Greaves 29 Get Ready by Jahmornie Peart 30 Basketball by Jasmin Guiterrez 31 Grandfather by Jasmine Campbell 32 Best Friend by Jayden Laudat 33 Runaway by Jordan Mayers 34 Astroworld by Joshua Brome 35 Moving On by Justin Vargas 36 Christmas Day by Kadeem Campbell Phang 37 A Great Trip by Kamille Forde 38 Sixth Grade by Kasandra Collazo 12

39 1961 by Kayla Seya 40 Acceptance by Kayla Wayne

At Peace by Keila Pinto 42 Friendship by Kernardia Frazer 43 Dash by Kesi Sinclair 44 Changes by Kiszel Derouche 45 My mom gave birth to my brother. by Leilani Tirado 46 The Zoo by Lorraine Ferdinand 47 He Got it Like That by Mariam Ba 48 Alley Pond Park by MD Abrar Chowdhury 49 Big Forest by Meher Abdin Joy 50 It’s Just Weird by Miasha Banks 51 Engaged by Michael Cardona 52 14 Years by Mickel Prince 53 Hagma by Muhammad Alkhirafi 54 The Phone Call by Nicholas Barnwell 55 100 Word Narrative by Omarri Appleton 56 Summer in Seneca by Princess Lewis 57 One Day by Raheem Bethune Jr. 58 Bangladesh by Sayma Akther 59 Happy Love by Serena Smith 60 Random Phone Call by Sonali Thomas 61 Innocence by Stalyn Germosen-Torres 62 Little Sister by Tatiyana Mills 63 Three Years by Vyvyaan Akujobi 64 Transfer by Xiara Ortiz 41

10th Grade Stories Track & Field by Abigail Williams 69 The Littlest Things by Adalyz Ozuna 70 First experience by Adonis Robinson 71 Trenches by Alan Morillo 72 Sweet by Analice Gutierrez 73 For Us by Ananyeli Avillan 74 Forever & Always by Aziyah Pittman 75 100 Word Short Story by Cherish Dasher 76 Without You by Damon Murray 77 I never thought by Darren Coates 78 Love at last by Ebelyn Velasco 79 I Luv my Mom by Enoh Isiorho 80 A New Friend by Frederick Gonnell 81 The Beginning Of Me And You by Guadalupe Fernandez 82 A Cold Summer by Jamel R. Jefferson 83 The Consequences of Insecurities by Jasir Blount 84 Seasonal Cycle by Jawon Thomas 85 Wise Lady, Old Lady by Kennedy Morillo 86 Broken Bones by Kimani Young 87 Win by Laniya Johnson 88 Love at First Sight by Makayla Barrett 89

By Myself by Maliek Wright 90 My First Bike Ride by Naisean Banks 91 The day I left you, I smiled. by Nikay Smith 92 My Heart In A Human Form Is Sweet Like Candy!!

by Nyala Shuler 93 Forever. by Ocean McLean 94 My Happiness by Sahanna Brown 95 A Love Lost by Sanai Charles 96 Our Names Were Written In Stone by Sarah Harrell 97 My longest days by Sean Harris 68

Loving Brothers & Older Sister by Selena Gonzalez 99 A Girl by Shaniah Torres 100 Perfect Fairytale by Sianny Ortiz 101 Meeting you... by Tamara Lattimore 102 Rejection at First Sight by Tanasia Profitt 103 Love? by Tiana Hasty 104 Basketball is Not Just a Sport, it’s a Lifestyle! by Trinity Sierra 105 My Love, My Brother by Zaniya Blackwell 106 My Bracelet by Ziara Jones 107 The Most Unlikeliest of Silences by Ziasia Teal 98

e d a r G 9th Stories

Wake, eat, headache, sleep, repeat.

Six Word Memoir

Tasteful BBQ

By Adam Mobley Jr. My stomach was growling from the lack of food consumption that weekend. I had just eaten 2 hot pockets but I wanted more. The hum of a voice caught my attention. It was about food. The restaurant choices were too much. I couldn’t choose. We ended up at Dallas BBQ and I just finished skimming the menu. The waiter came and took my order. When the food came, my stomach hopped at the sight of the burger. The bacon and onions. The cheese and that sauce. They created the most amazing taste ever. That first bite was heavenly.

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Vacant heart, but pure soul living.

Six Word Memoir

One Day

By Adrian Mejia One day, I came back from school and my house was empty.

Empty, as in, no one was there to warm up the house.

I picked up the phone to call my mom, to ask why she wasn’t there.

I called her and as soon as she picked up the phone, she was crying.

I asked her what had happened and she said my dog ripped the skin off of my sister’s face.

I froze, silence, and my mom’s sobs weren’t even clear to me.

I just imagined my sister screaming and crying. It rang in my head, like how my favorite song will ring, but this was different, it was horrifying.

This is my fault, I could’ve came straight home instead of going to the stupid park! I thought all of that but the only thing that came out of my mouth was, “Is she going to be… ok?” I stuttered as I spoke in a raspy, tired voice. “Well… the doctor said she’ll be ok, they put stitches on her face without numbing it! Adrian, I can’t hear my kids in pain. It hurts my soul, my poor baby!” She was still crying and talking, I felt like hanging up. I had nothing else to say. “Ok, mommy I’m gonna call you later. Ok?” “Alright.” She said this so sadly, without a goodbye, we both hung up.

After what felt like days, I heard the door slam close like it always does. I walked to the living room and my sister had stitches on her face, I was sad

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again. My mom said, “Wassup.” In her natural serious tone and walked to the kitchen. I sat next to my sister, and I said, “You’ll always be beautiful, just stay calm alright. You’re beautiful, scratch or no scratch.” She’s only four, so I had to say something. “Does the cut hurt?” “It was hurting earlier, and now I have a big scratch on my face.” After I heard her say that, I wanted to say something comforting, “Adriana. You’re beautiful and I promise you that.” After, she smiled and gave me a hug filled with glee. As long as she is happy, I’m happy.

14

Rocks hurt but “ugly” hurts more.

Six Word Memoir

Kind of Lonely Until

By Anaya Lewis

The first day of school was kind of lonely until I tapped this girl on the shoulder. She is now a person I call my bestie. Once we met, school wasn’t as bad. About two months after that brief communication, we became very close. We joke around about hating each other and we back each other up in confrontations. She even understands most things that I go through when other people don’t. I find it very crazy because I only met her two months ago but I feel like she is my sister.

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Hate is strong, love is stronger.

Six Word Memoir

Phone

By Andre Ford Grandma took my phone. I was at home late at night, the living room smelled like candle wax when I got home. Why was it taken? We don’t speak of that. Grandma was calm. She was watching TV. When she asked for “her phone,” I gave “her phone” to her. I felt like I was dying. I thought that I was gonna rage and break everything in the house. But I didn’t because I saw my phone getting taken away because I came home late. This happened about a couple of weeks ago. I wanted a life of independence.

But I didn’t happen. My life was over.

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No pen to paper, typing away.

Six Word Memoir

Hennessy

By Antoinette Gamble My mom walked into my room talking about letting the dog, Hennessy, go. The dog wasn’t really mine, it was just a dog since I had no say in its name or anything. But I’m the one who took care of her. My mom took the leash from me and took her outside. She walked into the midday breeze that had come into my room before I closed the curtain. They walked to a park close by, my mom let her off the leash, and she started to run away. My mother came back, told me what happened, and left me the leash.

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We all have our own priorities.

Six Word Memoir

Portugal

By Ariel Molina Gonzalez I remember when I went to Portugal in the summer of ‘19. I went to visit my cousins who live there. After entering their house, I was in love with it! They were showing us around the house and we came across the garage.

I saw 5 bikes inside and I felt ecstatic! I couldn’t wait to ride! I asked my cousin if I could ride one and he said yeah. I took a bike and he took his and he showed me around. Riding around the neighborhood with music blasting from a speaker made me realize that, in Brooklyn, I wouldn’t be able to do that with everything wrong that could happen. I realized that I was lucky to have this opportunity, and to have this experience, which most kids don’t.

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Problems, Problems, Problems. Always a problem.

Six Word Memoir

July 12th

By Brianna Curbelo On July 12, 2013, my mom received the news. My grandpa had passed away. First time I’ve seen my mom cry. I was eight when I heard the news, my heart dropped. Warm tears rolled down my face. As people talked to me, I could only hear my heart beating in my ears. I kept picturing all the memories we had together. The times me and my mom would visit.

I would sit with him watching weird cartoons and eating Chips Ahoy Chewy. I remember when we visited him at the nursing home. Unable to experience again but never forgotten, either.

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Waking Up With Happiness In Mind Six Word Memoir

Graduation

By Canora Hepburn It was my middle school graduation, I was exiting an important stage in my life to enter another. Everybody was so happy. My aunts, uncles, and brother were sitting in the crowd cheering for me.

It was a ceremony of joy, and accomplishment.

It happened in a huge auditorium that smelled of wood.

Five months ago, I was sitting there thinking about my three years in middle school and all the ups and downs that came with it.

Most importantly, I was thinking about all the friendships formed and broken.

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Told one person and everyone knew.

Six Word Memoir

Kernardia

By Cassandra McGann In third grade, during math class, I sat next to her. Her name was Kernardia.

She was quiet and I was quiet too. I talked first, and it was an instant connection. We talked during lunch, after school, and soon we talked everyday. When we were going into fourth grade, Kernardia and I were still talking to each other everyday. We soon met someone else named Princess, she was really quiet too. She opened up to us and we got extremely close to each other over time. Today, we are still best friends and we talk everyday.

I love them dearly.

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Had fun until the night fell.

Six Word Memoir

When the clock strikes 12

By Delilah Rodrigo

11:41 p.m. Sunday night. I thought you were the one for me, but the jazz music upstairs says otherwise. He always made me laugh to the dumbest jokes while walking to school. All I was able to imagine was him, in the sunset light. We walked through the halls and the mint gum in my mouth was losing its flavor, reminding me of time I have with you. But that wasn’t love; it was a daydream. Running through a strawberry field with one who isn’t you. 11:54 p.m. Time is not our friend.

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I love my house, it’s comfortable.

Six Word Memoir

Foodie

By Elvis Coronado I woke up, I ate 3 blueberry waffles. I got dressed and left to my new high school AFYW. I arrived at AFYW and saw kids, teachers, and classrooms. I dapped up my friends. We went into the classroom to do work. I went to the lunchroom and heard a lot of people talking, including my friends. I was walking around the kids and then a strong scent came around my nose and it wasn’t pleasant. The scent smells like dirty booty.

I went home and made my chicken wings with french fries.

It tasted very delicious.

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Only one chance don’t waste it.

Six Word Memoir

Silly Argument

By Emani Moore

On October 23rd, 2019, I was in this group with girls and it was a fun girl’s day. We went outside to the park by my friend’s house and had a party later on. In my friend’s house, she has a basement and it’s very big.

We asked my friend’s mom, “can we invite more friends over and have a little party?” Her mom agreed to the party as long as we clean up after we have the little party. After like 3 hours go past, we were still partying and these girls started to argue over something irrelevant.

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One’s emotions show false reality physically.

Six Word Memoir

Lust For Hope

By Emmanuel Harper I thought there was no saving my lust for hope.. I thought there was nothing but despair until two people showed the world is not all full of barbaric people. Blessed with salvation, escape from calamity, finding a justification for life, a philosophy for pursuing and seeking my calling, and perceiving that there is something worth living for. One says they love you but they despise your presence, one says they don’t care but they pity you, and one says they hate you but they love you; most reality’s false emotions.

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Effort and dedication lead to victory.

Six Word Memoir

Speak

By Enyer Abreu I came to this country which is full of new cultures and languages, everything is new and different for me. I started school without knowing any English and without friends. I was nervous, scared, and did not know how to react or speak. After a while, I was learning and making friends.

Learning was difficult but not impossible. I was watching and listening to programs. I didn’t have time to speak Spanish because everywhere I spoke more English than in my house.

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The path to success is challenging.

Six Word Memoir

La Isabela

By Fremmy Ceballos One of the saddest car rides of my life was eight years ago. I was being driven to the airport called “La Isabela”. I was concerned. It was going to be my first time on an airplane, and I was leaving my mom in Moca.

It’s a place where I grew up, a place I have never left. I was scared of leaving my mom all by herself because me and my brother are supposed to protect her. I felt like I was letting her down. Mom said, “Llamame todo los dias, te amo mi niño bonito, mama te ama.” This is a memory I will remember forever.

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Stayed home, played video games, and slept.

Six Word Memoir

Tiger

By Jaeden Greaves When I was younger, my parents bought me a cat and I was very happy.

His name was Tiger. I loved him until that one day he decided he wanted to take my chicken out of my mouth. So that day, I was very hungry when I got home from school. I asked my mom to get me some food and she bought me some chicken and french fries. My mom told me she’d be back when she went to the hall to talk to her friend and I was just sitting there eating like a nice kid. So I was...

28

Being a teen is very stressful.

Six Word Memoir

Get Ready

By Jahmornie Peart It was the last week of summer when my mom told me, “Get ready.” At first she would not tell me where she was taking me.

I put my headphones on and put my head back. I looked out the window and I knew the area. We were downtown when I asked, “What are we doing downtown?” She stayed silent as we walked into the Apple Store. Then, she told me she was going to buy me some AirPods. I was so happy. My mom and John started talking. I could not stop looking at the AirPods, they felt so different.

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Love, sweat, pain, in my adrenaline.

Six Word Memoir

Basketball

By Jasmin Guiterrez People ask me why basketball? It’s hard to explain, they make me feel like I’m in the movie “Love and Basketball” because of all of the criticism. Since I am so small, I’m also fast to steal the ball or give a perfect coordinated pass to a good open shot.

Being small is having an advantage compared to others on the court, so you play smart. When you are playing, you feel the excitement, nervousness, the rush all at the same time. That is a power of a point guard, that’s me.

It runs in the family, not giving up ‘cause you’re small.

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1.Trials and tribulations, she was Victorious.

Six Word Memoir

Grandfather

By Jasmine Campbell My grandfather, a sweet and artistic man, died on December 3rd. It all started with him waking up in the AM. What he thought was gas, as West Indians typically thought, was really a severe heart attack due to all the smoking and unhealthy habits over the years. The first surgery was successful. Pacemakers were added but we wouldn’t find peace just yet. The following morning he was rushed back into surgery but this time, he never came back out. I felt cold; my body went numb. A piece of me had died. Thinking I would see him another day and not saying goodbye, never getting to hug him and hear his heartbeat, or feel the warmth on his cheek when I kissed him. It ate me alive.

He was gone.

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Best Friend

By Jayden Laudat Four years ago, my best friend and I were really close. He was dark skinned, somewhat tall, he played sports, and video games. We were always together. We were always outside playing basketball and football.

If we weren’t outside, we were playing video games. Eventually, he moved to Pennsylvania. Then a kid moved onto the block. He also played sports.

I started hanging around him more and we became close friends. After a while, me and my old friend lost touch. With all of these friendships coming and going, I learned that nothing lasts forever and you must move on.

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I will always love you despite mistakes.

Six Word Memoir

Runaway

By Jordan Mayers My older sister ran away from home for three years. It was a stressful time period for all of my family. My mom and my sister started texting.

My sister sent my mom a picture of her newborn daughter. My mom showed me the picture and that was that. During the summer of 2017, my cousin came over to my house and we were relaxing until my mom came in. She said she had a surprise guest for us. My mom introduced my older sister, who was with her daughter, and in that moment I was extremely happy to see her despite everything.The lesson I learned from this is, despite the mistakes that people make, you can still love the person.

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Excitement, hype, album, delivery, art, memories.

Six Word Memoir

Astroworld

By Joshua Brome

It was August 3rd, 2018. I was awaiting Travis Scott’s latest music project.

I watched his Astroworld teaser trailer and it hyped me up which made me expect greatness from the album. I read some rumors about some of the artists that were expected to feature on the album and it allowed me to spread the word to some of my friends and it hyped them up as well. I woke up the next morning and I found that Travis released Astroworld and it blew my mind.

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Sleep Until You Feel You’re Awake Six Word Memoir

Moving On

By Justin Vargas

It was just supposed to be a joke until it came true. I wanted to stay and not leave. Why so early? I wanted to see my friends even if we were leaving or not. We got in the car and I watched the old house leave my eyesight; my childhood memories flooded my mind. I was outside, in NYC, with my friends which caused me to think and wonder whether I was really leaving. I questioned, am I going to fit in? What if I don’t get along with others?

Will I survive?

35

License to ride. Choose not too.

Six Word Memoir

Christmas Day

By Kadeem Campbell Phang My Aunt was there, it was Christmas, presents were rolling out, and I got one of my presents at last. I could’ve got my presents first or opened them when the rest of my family was opening them. It was 8:00am daylight in New York. This all took place in my house in Brooklyn. I was doing something I love the most, opening presents. While people are opening presents, I can hear wrappers, paper, and dogs running around. I smell turkey and candy canes in the air. When all was finished, I got to finally taste eggnog and macaroni salad.

36

Stayed at home, but nowhere to go.

Six Word Memoir

A Great Trip

By Kamille Forde

It was the beginning of August and as the sun was rising up, I was heading out the door. I was helping Mom pack for the trip, making sure that everything was in place. We were ready to travel to Downtown Brooklyn, feeling positive about sharing my art with the world. My paintings were based on experience. Buildings passing by, but finally we made it to the pier. We were displaying the food and organizing the paintings, making sure that nothing was missing.We spent time waiting for the family to come, hours passed. The oldest friends returned, more paintings were sold, and day turned into night. When we were returning home, we never felt so alive.

37

Love can be dangerous at times.

Six Word Memoir

Sixth Grade

By Kasandra Collazo It all started in sixth grade. I met a girl named Ayanna. When I first saw her, she looked very tiny and sweet. Hours passed while she showed me around the school. We started to get to know each other and we bonded over Tik Tok. We started to go to each other’s houses.There was always music in my house and her house was always quiet. She only had a sister and I had two brothers. She was more spoiled than I was.

38

Seeing you again was perfect timing.

Six Word Memoir

1961

By Kayla Seya “Oh my goodness Tina is that you?!”, says Lonnie.

It’s been awhile since we’ve talked. Okay not awhile, a long-ass time. 1961 was the last time I saw her. I remember everything. Doing our side-to-side hug, squeezing each other tightly. She was moving to college. We were like sisters. Our similarities got us close. Brown-skinned, loves music, and always has to have their hair done. “Look at you! Oh my God, you still skinny!” Lonnie says jokingly. We walked from the park all the way to my home and discussed our lives after the year 1961.

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Colorful, markers, ready to use.

Six Word Memoir

Acceptance

By Kayla Wayne

Sometimes I just think the world is out to get me. I could be having the time of my life and then out of nowhere life comes throwing things at me. A moment ago, my brother told us he was leaving for the Air Force. Less than a month later he was gone. When I was remembering that moment I couldn’t have felt more betrayed. It was like the world was tumbling down. He told us it was a way for him to finally be independent.

Who was I to tell him otherwise?

40

Needed more time, Such a waste Six Word Memoir

At Peace

By Keila Pinto My dad had left to visit my grandfather, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Everyone knew except my grandfather. For some strange reason, no one had the guts to tell him. That day, my mom got a phone call from my dad. He told us that he had entered the hospital room, and that as soon as my grandfather’s eyes landed on him, he died. The day of the funeral, we all had to look at the casket. My grandfather was an old man who always had a grumpy expression. But lying there in the casket, I had never seen him so peaceful.

41

The devil is creeping behind me.

Six Word Memoir

Friendship

By Kernardia Frazer We met at school in the lunchroom. I have friends that are funny, cool, and nice towards me and others. There’s a girl with dark brown braids who has lush brown eyes. Another one has the same hairstyle but has twists instead. Lastly, a girl who wears her hair with a ponytail. We developed a strong friendship thinking it would last forever. I was blinded by their kindness, care, and most importantly having each other’s back. After graduation, we didn’t talk.

We made so many plans with each other for when summer starts. Such lies, lie after lie after lie. Friendship has such timing.

42

Imagine life without lemons, no lemonade.

Six Word Memoir

Dash

By Kesi Sinclair I still remember the day I lost my cat. Me and my mother were moving and no animals were allowed. We were all in the car and Dash was in the box and I was crying. I was saying my goodbyes to my cat while begging my mom to let him stay. My mom kept telling me “We can’t.” As we got to the pet clinic, I felt like I’ve been crying forever. That was my first pet and most likely my last. As I handed the box to the lady, I shed one last tear.

43

Love life before living the world.

Six Word Memoir

Changes

By Kiszel Derouche When people have new changes, most of the time they are confident and happy about it. But that wasn’t the case for me.

I finally left the place that made me feel trapped four months ago. I had been there for six years. I couldn’t wait to leave.

But for some reason, I didn’t want to leave my second home.

I had messes and memories there. I thought about the doubts in high school and, now that I’m here, I feel like a new person. Weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I continue to understand why every single day.

44

Weekends are judged on your mood.

Six Word Memoir

My mom gave birth to my brother.

By Leilani Tirado

My dad was with my mom at the hospital when she was in labor.

I was at my grandma’s house sleeping because it was like 4 am.

The next morning, my dad came to pick me and my sister up so we could go see our new brother at the hospital. I was very happy but felt weird because I couldn’t believe that my mom had a third kid and I was 13 years old. What could have been different is if my mom never got pregnant and she would just have two daughters and we would have an empty room.

This happened last year in August.

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The Zoo

By Lorraine Ferdinand My sister, Trini, and I were in the house when my mom got home with a huge blue bag. Inside was a beautiful, fluffy puppy whom we named Miguel. That very day we went to PetSmart to buy Miguel a fresh bowl, collar, and food. When we arrived, we saw this box full of cats.

We then heard what we thought our mother would never say, ‘’Pick two.” Next thing we knew we had Miguel, Jasper and Georgeina. A year later, Georgeina got pregnant and the new addition to our family, Amabalese, was here!

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keep calm dream ahead of yourself Six Word Memoir

He Got it Like That

By Mariam Ba

The drama all started when people were hating on my brother because he had it like that and the others did not. Me and my two older brothers went to get food but where we were getting food from was far. We drove. We got to Popeye’s and ordered food.

We did not stay to eat. As we got back into the car, not too far from home, my brother got a message from one of his friends.

So, he dropped my other brother and me off. Then, he went to meet his friends. We came to find out it was a set-up for my brother’s death.

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Friendship can form in unexpected ways.

Six Word Memoir

Alley Pond Park

By MD Abrar Chowdhury In the ninth grade I had gone to Alley Pond Park. A few people, including me, did not get the appropriate permission slip so we had to stay back.

We talked for a few hours and at the time, it was really boring. The people I spoke to were friendly, engaging, and the only people that were there to talk to. So we were just talking and what we did was annoy each other until everyone had come back for lunch. We sat in the sun, surrounded by trees and distant voices. After the trip, we started to talk in school.

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I’m from a big green forest.

Six Word Memoir

Big Forest

By Meher Abdin Joy I’m from a big forest where animals are playing around and all people start their day by seeing their family’s faces. Bangladesh when I was five years old. I also woke up hearing birds winnowing and I wake up feeling so good because the day is new to stop and do. In that time, I also think that if I saw my mother’s face, my day will be good and I feel like something good is going to happen. My country is full of green and in springtime, my country becomes more green. Even our house gets surrounded by trees and plants. It’s small, so good, and the air is so cool. But my favorite place is the garden that is not too far from my house. Whenever I become sad, I just walk to the place and try to come myself and I have a friend in that place like birds, trees, and plants. And I love that place because that’s the only place I love to stay all day long. And that’s my story, that I am from a big green forest.

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He’s gone, but he never left.

Six Word Memoir

It’s Just Weird

By Miasha Banks

It’s just weird, I wake up without the happiness of him sleeping in the bed next over. Literally like 6 feet over, to 385.7 miles, it’s too much. My best friend, the one I told everything to, was gone. No, not dead, but gone for a few months at a time, at college. He left me with something though, a room just empty with the memories of love. The smell of him still lingers of Old Spice and coconut oil. I sit on the couch he left, listening to my thoughts he has left me with.

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my weekend was dry and boring Six Word Memoir

Engaged

By Michael Cardona Ima tell the story of how my mom got engaged. It was the afternoon, my family was chillin’ at my house. My mom was just relaxing because she didn’t have to work that day so everyone knew he was coming to my house but no one knew he was going to propose to her. So, when he came, everyone was saying “hi” and then it happened. He proposed to my mom. It was so crazy. Everyone was yelling out of excitement and so happy for her. Everyone was in shock that he just proposed and it’s been six years.

51

Sleep, pizza, pain boring as hell.

Six Word Memoir

14 Years

By Mickel Prince 14 years ago, my uncle got shot by a cop and we didn’t get justice for him. 14 years, he died in 2005, I don’t know the date and don’t want to know. My mom told me a lot about him. He had looked like a good guy, someone who I would have liked to hang around. My mom always told me he always wanted a boy, a nephew and when he got one, he goes and dies but that is life. Just heartless, mean, and cold. She told me I’m just like him, the rebel in the family. Walk on the block he died every day, so many questions for you, uncle. Like, do you like soccer like me, the team you like, can you play soccer as good as me? I just want to know; never knew what you did to get shot but I think it is best I don’t know. Is it really you that talks to me in my dreams? I just want to see you other than from pictures, and from that terrifying image of you in your tomb.

Alright uncle, that is all I have to say to you. Miss you so much.

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Go out with my friend Adam Six Word Memoir

Hagma

By Muhammad Alkhirafi My grandmother died. Her name was Hagma. My father’s mother lived in Yemen. It was the end of eighth grade and she was sick. It was summer.

At first when I heard, I did not feel anything. But in the end, I felt so bad. Everyday in third grade I saw her. She told me, “Don’t do what your brothers do,” because my big brothers did not finish school.

53

Friends Parents Tennis Food Christmas Parties Six Word Memoir

The Phone Call

By Nicholas Barnwell

On May 1, 2019 at the midnight hour I yet again received a devastating phone call telling me that my aunt had passed away. She passed away to a worldwide demoralizing disease named cancer. I distinctly remember the sense of despair in my mother’s eyes, the sight of seeing her heart drop into her stomach and mine as well. My mother’s skin was warm due to the pain she and I felt. It is true what they say, “Nothing gold can stay.”

54

Life is bigger than 6 words.

Six Word Memoir

100 Word Narrative

By Omarri Appleton

My dad died when I was three from a disease named meningitis. My dad was in the bright lively country of Jamaica. He caught this disease, he went straight to the hospital, when we arrived at the hospital they had dim lights and dirty floors. They rushed him to the hospital emergency room to check on him. I went to go see him. Even though I was three, I felt anger, sadness, loneliness, and depression. But I still fought the emotions, believing he will survive.

55

Went on the breast cancer walk.

Six Word Memoir

Summer in Seneca

By Princess Lewis

It was the middle of July, and we were traveling to the lonely town of Seneca. My parents, siblings, and I were all packed in the car. It was the early morning when we reached my brother’s house. We stayed for about a week, until it was time for my parents to go on an hour drive, to drop my brother to his campus in Buffalo. He said his goodbyes and went to the car while me and everyone else stayed outside by the campfire. Watching the van until we could no longer see the glow from the headlights.

56

Sleep and clean my room up.

Six Word Memoir

One Day

By Raheem Bethune Jr. So one day, I was at home and it was me and my mom. It was too hot out so we were at home all day. I was on my PS4 having a good game playing Fornite with my god brother and we were going to win the game. The TV screen went black and I was like, “Nooo!!” I said to my mom, “Can I have a new PS4?” She said no because I did not clean my room and it was hot out. I wanted to sleep all the summer days away with no PS4.

57

Birthdays remind me of my blessings.

Six Word Memoir

Bangladesh

By Sayma Akther My family and I moved from Bangladesh to N.Y. one year ago. We moved to this country because my parents wanted my brother and me to be educated and get good jobs. The season was winter. I stepped outside from the airport, the wind touched my skin like someone was touching me with their cold hands. I was freezing when the wind was hugging me, and I saw bright lights. My life completely changed after I came here.

I met new people and experienced a new environment.

58

Emotional relationships teenagers experience in life.

Six Word Memoir

Happy Love

By Serena Smith

I met my boyfriend and he changed my life forever. After months of heartbreak, I posted a video of me crying and he texted me asking if I was okay. He continued by telling me I was too pretty to be crying. That made me smile. So after that, we started talking and calling each other until he asked me out. It feels really good to be happy again, to not be down every night. I see him almost every week, we laugh, sometimes we fight, but we end up happy. Love is the best feeling anyone can ever have.

59

I’m alone but I’m not lonely.

Six Word Memoir

Random Phone Call

By Sonali Thomas

Three years ago I met this boy named Isaac. We met on a random phone call and I was getting calls every day from different numbers, so I decided to finally pick it up. Yeah we just started to talk and then he told me he lived in New York, that he lives close to where I lived, and I had gotten very skeptical. So, I went with my brother and it was actually him.

Well it was just him and I and my brother and we went to different places like Kings Plaza and Coney Island, I felt good... I had a huge crush on him. Well if I wasn’t with my brother, I have no idea what would happen.

Actually, I know he’s not that kind of person...Well, sometimes I wish I could be with him, but since I’m so young I can’t have anything. But my sister Aniya can and she’s like 16. But she was doing what she was doing since like 14. So really I don’t wanna hear anything. Well, it happened where we met up. I forgot anyway, yeah.

60

Don’t forget happy and unforgettable moments.

Six Word Memoir

Innocence

By Stalyn Germosen-Torres Childhood is a word full of innocence, a belief in the unseen. I was poor but not of the heart. I was raised with a lot of love from my mother.

I did not have to go to my father, maybe it was for the best because I learned. I live with the memories I made because if I could return in time I would not know how to appreciate the things I had. Now after 10 years, I want to return to that beautiful, beautiful, childhood that I had. I can’t forget all the games, songs we played, and listened to. I’ll never forget the names and nicknames we had when we were baptized. We never used our real names.

61

Happiness comes from people you love.

Six Word Memoir

Little Sister

By Tatiyana Mills I didn’t like my little sister when she was born when her dad first came out and said, “You officially have a little sister. How do you feel about being a big sister now?” It was in Woodhull Hospital when I didn’t care if I was a big sister. All I could think about was not being the baby anymore and how she took all of my spotlight. But after a good 2 years, I noticed how much my mom loved her and that made me realize that my little sister made my mom happy, so it made me happy.

62

Depression: an emotional terrifying difficult time.

Six Word Memoir

Three Years

By Vyvyaan Akujobi I should’ve been an innocent and happy little girl. I would have been a good girl with straight A’s and B’s. I should have been a young girl who everybody loved and cared about and never wanted to let down. Until this one day it hit me. I have a very deep imagination. One night, I was sitting down doing my homework and I was thinking about my answer.

Then, my brain got out of control and I started thinking about the times I had arguments with my brothers or mom. I was in history class and my mind went blank and I got lost in my illusions. In my notebook, I wrote, ‘’I hate myself.” I’ve learned that this was just the start of it, three years of bad luck but still striving to be happy. This is a love story where I learn that imagination changes up the way you view things.

63

The difficult path we walk on Six Word Memoir

Transfer

By Xiara Ortiz On April 10th, at around 9 in the morning, my dad’s friend took us to the school. I was getting transferred. I had to transfer during the middle of 7th grade because of my behavior; I was always fighting, never in class, or just not doing work. My behavior could have changed and been better but I chose not to do what I needed to do. When I got into the new school, I hated it at first and always had an attitude with everyone. But then later, I loved it. By changing my ways, I finally graduated and got what I wanted.

64

66

e d a r G 10th Stories

Track is very important to me.

Six Word Memoir

Track & Field

By Abigail Williams Track is a competitive sport. The sport has had my attention since I was a little girl. I looked at other people running against each other for a medal or major attention from the public. I decided to take my dream to real life and I joined track from middle school - high school. It has been hell...

Endless days of practice and track meets, no time to yourself and sore body parts...At this point in your life you would think track is the worst sport. You try to quit but you can’t.

68

When you care you get hurt.

Six Word Memoir

The Littlest Things

By Adalyz Ozuna

From 2017 to 2019 I used to be so mad over the littlest things.

Like if my pencils fell on the floor or even if something didn’t go the way I wanted it to or even better, I would get mad.

I know it doesn’t sound so bad, but it was. I used to always be in fights over dumb things but my family always told me to stop worrying. To stop putting so much pressure because it can push people out of my life. It can create unnecessary stress on myself and give me horrible attitude problems in the future with people.

69

When you strive you accomplish more Six Word Memoir

First experience

By Adonis Robinson

The first day I tried to learn how to ride a bike, I had learned easily. I learned because my brother was riding the bike. I had asked him to teach me and he did. When I learned how to ride a bike, I wanted a bike for Christmas. Every day, I started getting better and better, pedaling faster and faster all through East New York. I just kept balancing and started doing tricks in parks and riding around the track and field. The importance of riding a bike is to really keep balance.

70

The dollar signs are my motivation Six Word Memoir

Trenches

By Alan Morillo Growing up in the trenches, we didn’t have the luxury of getting anything we wanted. We had to work and grind for anything we got. Nothing was handed or given. No help was given back then, so why would I give help now. The trauma and pain we experienced was so severe that we didn’t even talk about it.

Watching from the window, I saw the flash of a piping hot bullet released from the chamber of the gun. Screaming, I’m not resisting. Then, you heard the drop, the floor slowly covering in red. Another innocent soul in heaven.

71

Cherish all the treasures in life.

Six Word Memoir

Sweet

By Analice Gutierrez Sometimes I remember that strong, sweet smell you had.

I think about your soft fingertips on my skin touching me.

When I am asleep, it’s like I can still feel your presence over me.

Though I know you’re in a better place now, that you’re not in this gruesome, grotesque world anymore.

You’re in this magical world with him because they knew they would have never separated you two and your love.

I wonder if you still think of me, of all of us.

Your smile and his replay in my mind almost every day.

I’ll see it again soon. Someday.

72

For Us

By Ananyeli Avillan It was snowing that day, winter was at its highest peak. The day was gray and darkened and the sun no longer had its bright color because it was hidden within the dark clouds. I had nothing to lose but to face the consequences that I knew were forthcoming because of this fading love I had for him. The love that cornered me to do what I did. I convinced myself that it was his fault, that what I did was for the sake of us. I wash my sins away ready for another chance at love. It’s funny how commitment can kill someone.

73

“How, you ain’t never met him?!”

Six Word Memoir

Forever & Always

By Aziyah Pittman

There she stood tall, light smooth skin, thick brown curly frame, plump pink lips with a gap between her two front teeth, two slits in her right eyebrow and her slim shiny nose with wide nostrils. I smiled, tilting my head to the side allowing my curls to part from my face as I slowly moved my head to her lips, my hands pulling us closer. I felt nothing but tingling from my toes up, catching me off guard causing me to pull away and our eyes meet. She smiled and I held her tighter. Forever and always.

74

Pins: Money spent, free for all.

Six Word Memoir

100 Word Short Story

By Cherish Dasher

The lack of motivation to move was noticeable within Trouble. The brown fur turned dull and close to gray. My family knew that the inevitable was coming as we all packed into the car. The music was playing, a soundtrack about the end of my childhood. The pet shelter glided into view and the car came to an abrupt stop. There was an overwhelming silence until the doctors walked to us. My mother and sisters were crying as Trouble was taken further away. Over a decade’s worth of memories shot through my head as I realized that this was my last goodbye.

75

Without you I’m me with you?

Six Word Memoir

Without You

By Damon Murray Without you I’m me, with you I don’t know who to be. You take me out of my place and put me higher on the bracket. But at what cost would be the scars of those that I loved? Without you I’m confident and brave, but with you I just lose. My mouth drops and you tempt me and I latch on like a leech. I could see myself without you but I can’t remember a time I wasn’t with you. I miss you, I want to kiss you. Come home.

76

Love can Blind, Love can Belittle.

Six Word Memoir

I never thought

By Darren Coates

I never thought it would be difficult getting to the point of success for my work. But I’m still failing to do so, while living here in my studio apartment in the middle of the City. The only light I have is my lovely girlfriend, Hillary. Yeah, she may have issues…like how she only loves the scent of the cash in my pockets. But she still shows love for me…“Things’ll get better,” I tell her as I caress her…I’ve seen it in her eyes, she never cared, she only wanted money…I came home to nobody.

77

Your beautiful reflection, I love you.

Six Word Memoir

Love at last

By Ebelyn Velasco I am worth so much, and if you can’t see that, then someone else will!

For so long I thought I wasn’t enough, that I messed my chance up, and that’s bullshit! I love the person I see in the mirror, she’s beautiful, caring, independent and intelligent. I’ve taught myself that out of dirty soil, roses still grow and when someone comes along and cares for that rose, waters it and helps it luxuriate, it is beautiful, vibrant and strong. I am that rose, my heartbreak is the dirty soil and that someone is him, my lover and best friend. I love you.

78

I Luv my Mom

By Enoh Isiorho

I loved my mom when I started growing up. It smells good, it is the best thing for people to come together, and that is something we all need the feel of and to taste. I am in touch with her always and I hear her voice when she sings. I have a feeling of sight to make sure she is always happy and putting a smile on her face. She is also always there for me. The story I am trying to tell is the story of my mom. The relationship with my mom is so close, we can’t even fall apart from each other. I need to be with her because she needs me every moment in her life. She is my favorite person; when I need help I can go to her to ask her for help and she will help me with it. Like, if I am going through a hard time at school, everyday she will encourage me not to worry about that. But, instead, to focus on the right path that will lead me to a good path in my role to success in life.

She is the only one I can talk to about anything. She is my mom forever and the best mom in the world that I can get.

79

Feeling the pain of your loss.

Six Word Memoir

A New Friend

By Frederick Gonnell I remember waking up one Saturday morning during the summer of 2017 at around 11 AM. I was sitting there watching TV in my living room. I heard the loud sound of someone creeping up the stairs. Seconds later, there was a forceful thump at the door of someone knocking. I saw Robert at the door and opened it. Robert was holding a small furry animal wrapped around a small white blanket. I smelled the soft lavender scent of the blanket as I held the puppy. Robert then offered me the puppy and said it was my gift. I loved this day.

80

Bonds fading but feelings are staying.

Six Word Memoir

The Beginning Of Me And You

By Guadalupe Fernandez

She was in the cafeteria with her two pigtails and her unsure face. I felt her shyness from a distance. My ears were triggered by noisy kids but not one of them was you. My heart skipped a beat each time I thought of talking to you. My mouth got bitter every time words tried to come out of my mouth. She looked so lonely; the way she moved her body said it all. The room had the scent of medicine, the kind of medicine that tastes bitter when it first touches your tongue, but sweet at the end. “HI.�

81

A Cold Summer

By Jamel R. Jefferson

I sit in my room, a slave to a broom, a groom with no ballroom, a gun that won’t boom, a life with no loom, and wishing it was me and you while I sit in my room. My pain is in vain, veins to veins, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, blood to rust, corrosion to us, eroding us up. Death left with heft, leaving no depth, yet there’s a hole in my chest. There was nothing to leave and no one to grieve.

82

The Consequences of Insecurities

By Jasir Blount

I could feel the inevitable paranoia catching up to me like the Coronavirus to infants and elderly people, the aching feeling of queasiness in my stomach. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to have her reassure me once more. But even after being reassured, I still felt as gullible as a child believing that Santa Claus exists. My insecurities took me to a place where I did not want to be: single, single as a one dollar bill. The idea of not being with her again made my stomach a bottomless pit, and my heart was sinking in it.

83

Best friends caught in the crossfire.

Six Word Memoir

Seasonal Cycle

By Jawon Thomas

We were in the same second grade class. At first glance my heart stopped when I saw her. She went to this after-school program called PAL. My mom had to put me in after-school too so I asked to go there. We started talking and it was like being in a garden of spring trees blooming, our connection growing. We had a tutor in school, just me, her, and the tutor. The tutor took us to after-school. One day she asked if I wanted a girlfriend. Spring was in full bloom. “No.� Spring skipped Summer and broke down into Autumn.

84

Dreams won’t work unless you do Six Word Memoir

Wise Lady, Old Lady

By Kennedy Morillo

Good times, nice lady, old and beautiful, grey hair, brown eyes. Used to save me from my mom hitting me when I was being bad. We all left the Dominican Republic but you. Months go by, 6 years old, didn’t know what was going on. Phone calls back to back, I was scared. Grandma passed, bad news, mom cried, everyone was sad, tears coming down, who knew. I miss you so much, but you´re in a better place. We´ll meet again.

85

Broken Bones

By Kimani Young

During the 7th grade around my birthday in March, I went on a class trip to Central Park to roller skate. It was really fun until people started pushing each other. Before I could even get out of the rink I felt a little push. I turn around and see it’s my teacher, so I quickly turn around and chase her. I was hitting 50 mph, passing everyone until I slipped and landed on my ankle which snapped outward. I fell to the floor and got help to the benches. My ankle was as big as a baseball.

86

Win

By Laniya Johnson On a hot Saturday in May, the ice blue liquid dripped down my arm from my ice pop. I had the idea to start my own business. There were many other females who thought to make their own lash business. I told my best friend Chanel about the idea. She murmured low saying I shouldn’t do it but I did anyway. And, surprisingly, I ended up selling out the first day of the launch. I know you’re probably thinking what this was all about. This is to show you that not all the time do your friends wanna see you win.

87

Life goes on but pain stays.

Six Word Memoir

Love at First Sight

By Makayla Barrett

I could feel the sun kiss my skin as we left the hospital. I turned to see my oldest sister holding my newborn niece in her arms looking at her tenderly, cradling her as if she would break like glass. Once we arrived at the house, all you could hear was the sound of feet touching the floor as the family gathered in the living room. Our grandmother held her; you could feel the love for this child radiating from everyone. Some don’t believe it’s possible to love something so quickly, so fully. I would have agreed until meeting Tori.

88

By Myself

By Maliek Wright I am writing about the time I knew I had to start doing stuff by myself, like learning how to make/cook when I want something at that moment.

Or learn if I want money I have to work for it and not ask every time I want something or do not want to do it. I just wish I can just get it and not do anything or learn how to get up and do what I need to do then not do it and say a week/month later that I am telling this because it’s a story where the reader learns that there’s going to be a time life starts to get harder and you have to learn how to deal with it and try to learn how to fix the problem.

So about 3 to 4 years ago…

TO BE CONTINUED

89

My First Bike Ride

By Naisean Banks

It was a beautiful day with good weather. I could feel the heat from the beaming sun. I could see the two-story-high trees on the side of the sidewalk. I could feel the hard bike seat as I rode over each uneven concrete tile. As I felt my father’s hands guiding me, I could hear his voice telling me not to stop pedaling. I was so excited because now I was finally doing it, I was finally riding a bike. I could no longer feel my father’s hands but I heard his voice and saw the happiness on his face as he helped me up from the bike fall.

90

Blue, the most human, inhumane, color.

Six Word Memoir

The day I left you, I smiled.

By Nikay Smith

Through the cool spring breeze, she sat on the wooden bench. A sigh escaped her pale lips as she did. A noise was heard suddenly when she felt a nudge on her leg, a small, skinny, brownish, sickly dog appearing in her gaze. She smiled and stroked it once on its head, her hand received a lick in return. As time went on, they walked, they laughed, they talked, and they loved. By the end of the day, satisfaction and happiness could not help but make themselves known. Their day had come to an end, together they left.

91

Look out for everything around you Six Word Memoir

My Heart In A Human Form Is Sweet Like Candy!!

By Nyala Shuler

When I was little, I always wanted a little sister. When I was seven, my wish finally came true. She was the best thing to happen to me. I love her so much. When she was a baby I remember she said my nickname for the first time. Her first words were “Nana”. That made me feel so special. I love her so much. She is my life and my heart. If something happened to her, I will kill whoever. So don’t mess with both of us. When it comes to her I don’t play. She’s my favorite person forever.

92

Distance away but close, why go?

Six Word Memoir

Forever.

By Ocean McLean Are some things meant to be? Do you even think about me? Because yes, I think about you. I don’t know if you remember, you promised me “forever.” That’s what you told me, remember? In front of OUR school, remember? I wish I would’ve known that was our last moment together as we were. It still hurts you know. Later, you post pictures and videos with new people. I hope they know you like I do. I can taste our memories fading away on the tip of my tongue. Do you remember how much fun we had? My heart shattered.

93

My Happiness

By Sahanna Brown

Hold me tight and never let go. As I walked down the aisle, I began to think if this was a good idea, while searching the whole place for the one thing I came for. My eyes came across her. She was small and had white fur but her face was a different color. I turned to my side and tapped my mom to get me that one and she got her. Princess was the name and from that day on, I will never forget when I got my first dog.

She will always be my little baby.

94

A Love Lost

By Sanai Charles

I got home after hanging out with Grandmother, I had a good time with her. What made my day even better was coming home to a puppy!

I named the black little dog Carley. I loved spending time with Carley.

She was like a best friend. I took her for walks, bathed her, and fed her. Then eight months later I had to give her away because my mom felt like we weren’t really home enough to take care of Carley. We got dressed and drove to a lady who wanted the dog and it was the saddest moment ever. Carley didn’t want to leave, she was barking and shaking.

She was also so scared she threw up. The lady grabbed Carley, my mom drove off in the car crying.

95

I actually feel things around you.

Six Word Memoir

Our Names Were Written In Stone

By Sarah Harrell

September 2016, the sun shone bright that day. The school’s basketball court was crowded with other seventh graders I didn’t speak to. But I had my people, all eight of them. I remember taking the black Sharpie marker as half of us crowded around the cement bench. The trees rustled behind us, as the other half of us hung off the wired fence. We were staring down at the bench. The strong chemical odor mixed with the smell of summer flooded the air. Our names were scribbled at the left corner of the back side of the cement. We’re forever immortalized together.

96

This is my life right here.

Six Word Memoir

My longest days

By Sean Harris

So it’s my freshman year and I love basketball. I put in all of the work over the summer to shine in my first year on a team. So I try out and I make the team. But I know that I’m going to have to work more than others since I’m a freshman on a varsity team. I’m always the first one to the weight room and the last to leave. Never really played, guess the coach never noticed me but I learned a lot. So my sophomore year, I came back hungry, stronger, and faster.

97

Loving Brothers & Older Sister

By Selena Gonzalez

When I was a newborn little girl, I was in an open world full of love & family. When I opened my eyes, I looked up and saw my older sister coming to my house every Friday to hold me in her arms to put me to sleep. The next few years, I started to grow and grow and I thought I was really going to be the only child in my family but I have a brother that was born in 2005. I loved him so much; here was someone who couldn’t never let go.

98

A Girl

By Shaniah Torres Months before school, I met a girl who was very beautiful and quiet.

She was not like others, she was not into me like other girls were. It was September 26th, a warm September day. The day my heart fell flat to my stomach and it fell so fast. Katrina was her name, she was cute and I had a crush and as the crush grew, I sometimes dreamt of her. Finally a warm October day, she has made her move and told me she feels for me. We decided to be together and spend our life privately and off social media.

99

You are worth it all, beautiful.

Six Word Memoir

Perfect Fairytale

By Sianny Ortiz

On November 7th, 2019, it was a warm day and it was a happy day.

Siaralyn woke up in excitement because it was her 1 year anniversary with Sarai. They texted each other in the morning. After they got ready, they each wrote a love letter to each other. They went to see a movie and they had dinner after the movie. They went to Red Lobster with the cheddar biscuits. After they finished eating, they exchanged letters.

They were both so happy with what they wrote to each other. It was the most perfect night ever.

100

Gone by touch but here spiritually.

Six Word Memoir

Meeting you...

By Tamara Lattimore It was January 4th, 2011; I wasn’t the only child anymore. My mom flew across our hallway as I rose up from my pillow. The pound of my dad’s footsteps shook the wooden floor as I lay wide awake. The journey to the hospital was a pleasant one as I hummed to the song on the radio, I walked into the hospital room as she lay still in her incubator. Her fingers brushed against mine as her eyes widened. As she was held, her soft cries echoed across the room. That’s when I knew my sister was here at last.

101

Heartbreak, wounds that will never heal.

Six Word Memoir

Rejection at First Sight

By Tanasia Profitt

‘Twas the summer of ‘94 and it was blazing. I had found solace in a familiar music shop. The bell jingled, announcing my arrival. There he was behind the counter; he had a gold chain and waves that could’ve flooded a city. He smiled. I melted. He spoke, but it was deaf to my ears.

I nodded. My heart was thumping too loud. I bypassed him and his cologne sent a shiver down my spine. Then she came in and they kissed, my heart shattered. There was no chance for us, for he was straight and I was gay.

102

“They left but I was found.�

Six Word Memoir

Love?

By Tiana Hasty I fell in love with this girl I met. Her name was Ciara. My first friend and my first love. I met her in school, in the classroom, she was tutoring me in math. I touched her hand. It was soft and the smell of her hair was like fresh roses. Would my love be right for her or would it be hell? I fell in love with a boy named Chris. His image was lovely. When I kissed him he tasted like chocolate and his voice was deep. I want to confess my love.

103

Basketball is what I live for!

Six Word Memoir

Basketball is Not Just a Sport, it’s a Lifestyle!

By Trinity Sierra

Ever since Trin was a little kid she loved watching basketball. In sixth grade, she finally had the opportunity to get on a team. She was really bad, but kept playing and working hard to get better. One of the people she looked up to was Diana Taurasi.

When you walk on the court, you see the big crowd cheering or booing you. You see the other team warming up and getting ready to play. You smell the rubber of the ball as it bounces from your hand to the floor.

When you play, you see the teams scoring back to back. You taste the sweat coming down your face. All of this makes you fall in love with the game.

104

My baby brother was born early.

Six Word Memoir

My Love, My Brother

By Zaniya Blackwell

The day I met my brother was the day after his birth. He was born three weeks early and was in the NICU, but he was fine. When I saw him for the first time he was very white looking. He wouldn’t keep his eyes open for more than two seconds. Even though I technically wasn’t allowed to hold him, (since he was in the NICU) I did anyway. It was a very surreal moment in my life. Although I already had a younger brother, this was different because I knew I would remember this moment forever.

105

My Bracelet

By Ziara Jones

It was on October 31st, 2018. On this day, everyone was so sad because we lost someone that was so close to our hearts. It was about 2 pm and we were all at my aunt’s house. She sat us down and pulled out the bracelets.

She told us that our grandmother loved us with all of her heart and she wanted us to have something to always remember her by. When she gave us the bracelet, I cried because my grandmother was like my other mother. I felt sad and happy because I knew she is in a better place now.

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Just like glass, I break easily.

Six Word Memoir

The Most Unlikeliest of Silences

By Ziasia Teal

A normal day at Harvard University; the library is loud. I don’t think this school knows anything about the phrase “peace and quiet.” I just need a quiet place to study and work on an assignment. As I reach for a book, my hand makes contact with someone else’s hand that’s reaching for the same book. We retract our hands, both saying sorry. Turns out his name is Anthony and he’s in my class. It was easy talking to him. He wasn’t judgmental, he listened. He was different, a good different. I didn’t have enough time before I fell in love.

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Acknowledgments 826NYC works with classes of students and teachers on creative writing projects across New York City. Ninth and tenth graders from Academy for Young Writers wrote short personal narratives and explored the meaning of the teenage experience and different kinds of love. Our Names Were Written in Stone is a compilation of the original work of these students.

A huge thank you to the 826NYC volunteer Cole Stallone, our writing mentor who supported our students through brainstorming, writing, and revising. Thank you also to our Teaching Artist Matthew Thompson.

Your support, encouragement, and consistency helped our young writers tap into their imaginations and memories to produce such high quality work.

We are particularly grateful to Lucia Brockway, Jaclyn Reyes, and Keeyah Hicks for their support of this project. Your hard work, warmth, and steadfast dedication to your students allows them to flourish as young writers and thinkers. Thank you to Principal AAden Stern for bringing us into Academy for Young Writers and for his support of the program throughout the year.

At 826NYC we depend on the dedicated volunteer editing and design cohort that make our publications a reality. Thank you to Phong Tran for designing such a beautiful book for our students. To copy editors and proofreaders Christopher Ahearn, Liz Sullivan, Chelsea Bonollo, and Olivia Kielczewski for their careful attention to each of the student’s pieces.

A big thank you to The Rona Jaffe Foundation, The Bay and Paul Foundation, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs,

The Resnick Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts for their generous support, which allows us to publish our students’ work.

Thank you especially to the 826NYC staff for their behind-the-scenes support of this project, from curriculum development and the bookmaking process to volunteer recruitment.

Finally, thank you to the ninth and tenth grade students at Academy for Young Writers for taking risks with your writing and sharing your words with us. Writing can be a challenging and hopefully fun process, and your dedication to your craft and your stories shines through in these pieces.

We are all excited to see what books you’ll produce in the future!

826NYC Location and Leadership

826NYC and The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. 372 Fifth Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.499.9884 www.826nyc.org Staff Joshua Mandelbaum, Executive Director Aarti Monteiro, Director of Education Nico Garbaccio, Volunteer and Programs Manager Thais Vitorelli, Programs Coordinator Corey Ruzicano, Programs Coordinator Summer Medina, Community Engagement Strategist Jesusdaniel Barba, Programs Coordinator Lauren Everett, Communication & Fundraising Coordinator Chris Eckert, Store Manager Sonya Moore, Retail Associate Board of Directors Tammy Oler, President Ted Wolff, Vice President Ray Carpenter, Treasurer Michelle McGovern, Secretary Michael Colagiovanni Laurie Malkin Amir Mokari Arjun Nagappan

Katie Schwab Danielle Sinay Andrew Sparkler Liza Steinberg Alyson Stone Maura Tierney Thom Unterburger Kathryn Yontef

826NYC Programs After-School Tutoring We offer free tutoring four days per week for students ages six to eighteen. Students work with volunteer tutors in small groups to finish homework assignments, complete independent writing projects, and to read independently, in pairs or in groups. We serve students of all skill levels and interests and work with parents and teachers to create independent learning objectives and support plans for struggling students.

Evening and Weekend Workshops We offer writing-based workshops that provide in-depth instruction in a variety of subjects that schools often cannot include in their curricula. These workshops cover topics such as college entrance essays, comic book–making, creative writing, journalism, poetry, and filmmaking. All workshops are taught by teaching artists and are limited in size to ensure that students receive plenty of individual attention.

In-School Support for Teachers The strength of our volunteer base allows us to provide in-school support to work with students in New York City classrooms. We recognize that large class sizes make it increasingly difficult for teachers to provide individualized feedback and guidance on research and writing. We send volunteers to the classroom to assist teachers with providing this essential one-on-one support.

Hosted Field Trips 826NYC welcomes classes from public schools for mornings of high-energy storytelling activities.

Our most popular field trip is our Storytelling and Bookmaking project, in which elementary school students write, illustrate, publish, and bind their own books in a two-hour session. At the conclusion of this trip, each student leaves with his or her own copy of the book and a newfound excitement for writing. Our other field trips cover topics such as memoir writing, screenwriting, and more.

Student Publications Through our writing workshops and after-school tutoring program, our volunteers work with students to help them create stories, poems, and ’zines. Because we believe that the quality of students’ work is greatly enhanced when they are given the chance to share it with an authentic audience, we are committed to publishing student works. By encouraging their work and by guiding them through the process of publication, we make abundantly clear that their ideas are valued.

First love. Broken bones. Found friends.

Two names written on a basketball court bench. These are only some of the stories in Our Names Were Written in Stone, a collection of six word memoirs and short personal narratives written by 9th and 10th graders at Academy for Young Writers.

Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students, ages six to eighteen, with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.