Valley Voices Features Young Writers and Poets

Five Chemainus Secondary School authors submitted short stories and poems to the Valley Voices young writers callout. Lotte Pabst, Chloe Young, Callia Banks, Perla Maria Francis Martinez, and (not in the photo) Hannah Large wrote to the theme ‘Masks Off’. Their stories and video readings are posted in the Valley Voices collection at cvcas.ca/category/valley-voices/. Teacher-Counsellor Barbara Stoochnoff coordinated the event in the school.

Young writers, poets respond to callout

Lotte Pabst I Am From

An International Student, Lotte wrote about her family and what it has been like growing up in a happy home in Cologne, Germany.

I am from a family who has always supported me and I am so grateful for / From never giving up and standing up for myself even when it was hard / I am from hopes and dreams.

Chloe Young Misery Likes Company

Chloe recounts what it’s like ‘sitting on the sidelines’ while others are taken in by ‘bitter lies’.

I sat on the sidelines Watching them drink her bitter lies While she drank her liquid amber And I waited Because patience is a virtue Her spell would wear off And one day they would see... Callia Banks Masks Off

Can two people fall in love and decide it’s forever in a chat room, without ever having set eyes on one another?

L:I’m tired, I’m going to bed. Goodnight./ K:Goodnight / And Lily fell asleep thinking “we’re going to be best friends.”/ But Kamron fell asleep thinking “I’m going to marry that girl.”

Perla Maria Francis Martinez Painted Butterflies

Perla took five-year-old Page’s child’s eye perspective on what it will be like going to fairs and expos when the COVID mandates are fully relaxed, and face painting comes back into vogue.

“Face paint! I love face paint!” She jumped around like she was just given the best news ever. Alex and Sophia laughed and smiled at each other. Hannah Large Pride

Hannah describes the uncertainties and evasions young adults feel forced to take when childhood friendship becomes something more.

Across a room they stare, / Their gazes lovesick and pained, / Clouded with ignominy, / Hidden; / A love restrained / Two best friends; / A duo only designed for / Pillow fights and promises / And certainly nothing more...

Valley Voices is pleased to feature our young writers

Read and listen to their stories and poems in the CVCAS Valley Voices collection...

cvcas.ca/ category/ valley-voices