The Power of Storytelling

My story starts with hundreds of homemade paper books in red shoe boxes. After reading my stories aloud to my first-grade class, I learned how powerful words could be. My friends smiled when they heard their names incorporated throughout my mysteries. When my school announced they were accepting applications for a student reporter, it is no surprise that I was first in line to submit my interest. Now, I am so grateful for that creative spark and the opportunities that have enabled me to reach beyond myself and share the impactful stories of others.

In one of my articles for a local publication, I decided to spotlight a nonprofit I was volunteering at called ICAN that provides programs for disadvantaged youth. Since Henry Salinas founded ICAN, the organization has grown to serve more than 1,300 youths per year and has abided by its core mission and principles. ICAN offers unique after school preventative programs for students and creates a space for volunteers to serve as positive role models through classroom activities, ambassador programs, and leadership training opportunities.

From my own experience volunteering, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as a mentor for the students at ICAN and watching their excitement grow as they explore different creative activities and STEM projects. Two years of volunteering led me to pitch a new creative writing program to CEO, Shelby Pedersen. The opportunities that I had to contribute to my community stemmed from my writing experiences and internships. I wanted to pass along tools to help students at ICAN appreciate the power of language while learning to advocate for themselves.

My program, “What’s Your Story?” included monthly meetups incorporating poetry exercises, journaling, mock interviews, and fictional character roleplay. The program ultimately culminated in a student-led newspaper called the ICAN Express that was distributed to ICAN staff and students. The students experienced the feeling of being a published writer after watching their stories and pictures come to life on print. Ultimately, through this program, I was able to witness the excitement that students shared when using their voices to contribute to their community.