Writing Samples

"Sankofa"

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The word sankofa is an African term originating from the Akan people of Ghana. It translates as meaning “to go back and get it,” referring to the poet’s retrieval of meaningful memories. The Akan people believe that the past serves as a guide for shaping the future. This autobiographical poem chronicles the musical history of my ancestors, and how their past has shaped my future.

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"Personal Narrative"

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Had it not been for Van, an exchange student from Vietnam, I wouldn't have developed the passion for language that I hold now. This personal narrative essay tells the story of my first day of high school, and how meeting Van impacted the trajectory of my life.

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"A Voice for Change"

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Selected as a winner in the top twenty category of the BestPrep Educational Forum Essay Contest, "A Voice for Change" illustrates the necessity of volunteering, and highlights the benefits that such acts can have on a community.

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"A Sailor's Daydream"

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Jump into the wandering mind of a high school sailor. As this short story jumps from the bland setting of a classroom to the vivid environment of the lake, the reader is brought on a journey into the memories of sailing right with the sailor herself.

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"Infinitely Incarcerated"

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Technology has had an incredible influence on my life. From owning my first smartphone to becoming encompassed by the world of social media, this personal narrative details my complex relationship with screens.

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"The Power in the Pages"

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This essay showcases the diversity portrayed in multiple elements of literature through careful reflection of Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah, Ayad Akhtar's screenplay Disgraced, and Barbara Kingsolver’s novel The Bean Trees.

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