Writing Evolution

I remember walking into my AVID classroom and realizing there was a new presence. It was not a teacher but a gentler presence—Ms. Lisa and Ms. Colleen who came to Red Bank Middle School. This was when I was in 5th grade, which truthfully was one of the hardest moments in my life. It was as if my prayers were being heard when Ms. Campbell introduced the program of Project Write Now. As we listened to what they were going to do with our class, many of my classmates, including myself, rolled our eyes because it was yet another activity where we thought we were going to be bored. This was not the case! They actually listened to our input, and our voices were not ignored but instead heard! My classmates and I became more open to the idea of writing and journaling because there was no forced structure to what we were writing. We could write freely as a way to escape and express how we felt in the moment. 

This freedom ignited my creativity, to think that anything that came to my mind was possible through my words and imagination. Although it gave me a freedom to express myself, it also was a tool to escape how harsh reality was. I was midway through 7th grade and COVID had just struck, isolating us from the world. Our classes became virtual and there was no true guidance in how we were supposed to deal with such loneliness and also juggle doing school at home. Writing was a way to cope with imagined scenarios where I wasn’t alone, to believe that once the pandemic was over the feeling of isolation would subside. Although Project Write Now was not as active in my life due to the pandemic, the tools it gave me stuck with me during one of the hardest times in history. Eventually we came back to semi-normalcy during my last year of middle school and I was able to cross the stage and graduate to begin a new phase in life. 

High school was genuinely terrifying, but in my freshman year I was able to land a job with a local organization that created workshops with teen volunteers. That is when my path with Project Write Now crossed once again. This time I was more comfortable with my speech and my beliefs, and writing was a valuable asset. It became a tool to promote myself and also as a way to voice my beliefs and bring attention to core issues in our society. When I left the organization that reunited me with Project Write Now, I was given the immense opportunity to work with Project Write Now directly on different projects. I became a teaching assistant and a writer for the PWN Teen blog, Real Voices Write Now. I was a bit hesitant as I believed that my writing was not up to par to be able to be published, but they encouraged me and aided me through the whole process. Project Write Now has given me so many opportunities that I am so grateful for and will always be thankful as I continue my journey as a writer. 

Through my role as an assistant teacher, I have met such amazing kids whose passion for writing and joy in writing their stories truly fills something in me. Working with Maria Wood in a classroom is a gift—her passion and dedication to teaching and supporting the kids at Red Bank Middle School is truly inspiring. She is a role model but also a friend in many aspects. I have been given the skills to be able speak out in front of others without fear. The most honest crowd is always those you least expect it from—children. They are ruthless, yet what brings me joy every Monday after school is a way to de-stress and be grateful for the opportunities given to me. 

Another opportunity given to me was to be a writer for the online literary journal Bridge Ink, which I have been grateful for as I was able to see my writing published. I’ve also had opportunities to share my writing on stage, first with the Voices of Hope program as part of the Two River Theater’s Crossing Borders Festival. The one I am most honored to have been part of was the 10th anniversary of Project Write Now, to appreciate the amazing organization that it has blossomed into. Looking back to my younger self in middle school, I would have never believed sharing my writing on stage would happen. 

Through it all, Jennifer Chauhan has been my biggest mentor. She has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter through some of the hardest times of my life. She has truly shown me the value in writing and how liberating it is to pursue a creative path. She has given me the chance to grow as a writer and publish my work but also my art from the skills that I have developed from the Art Academy at Red Bank Regional. Through her mentorship, she has helped me make a strong college application and know that I am a student worthy of a good education. Through her guidance, I have gotten accepted into multiple schools like Rutgers New Brunswick, Marist, and Villanova, to name a few. This is my personal thanks to Project Write Now on the immense impact it has had on my life and putting me on a path for success.