South Bay’s Leading Teen Writers
A team of South Bay Area teens bringing creative and personal expression to our social and cultural experiences
through critical essays, art, podcasts, and informal debates.
Leading Teen Writers Student Profiles
Every student has unique perspectives, styles, and social interests. Check out each student’s public portfolio of critical essays and creative pieces.
Yuna H.
Grade: 6th
School: Union Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Traveling, Cooking & Baking
Why I write: I don't write because I want to get my anger out, or to challenge myself, but to influence others. There are so many problems that “humans can’t see with a blind eye,” but getting other people to see my writing can spread news around the world. Writing can also help me express my thoughts on each topic. Even if I don’t know all of the things I write about, that encourages me to research and think about it.
Featured essay in portfolio: “10 Butchers: How Meat Eating Affects our Community”
Currently working on: ”Culinary life of Bay Area”
Kayla Y.
Grade: 6th
School: Taylor Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, Baking, Spending time with Friends
Why I write: Why do I sit in front of my computer alone for hours trying to perfect an essay when I love physical movement and hanging out with others? This is because I enjoy expressing myself as an artist in various ways. I love the art of being able to use your body to send expressive and purposeful messages to the audience. In dance, you use your body to create shapes that tell a story using emotion and technique through movement. However, in writing, I get to express myself with words which gives me another way to show everyone who I am. I write because it gives me a chance to express myself using my abilities to be creative and send a forceful message to readers.
Featured essay in portfolio: “A Future for the Bay Area”
Currently working on: “Bay Area Performance Arts”
Chloe M.
Grade: 7th
School: Bret Harte Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Theatre Arts, Digital Art, Pet Sitting
Why I write: I’m a writer because when I write I can escape from all the stress from homework, worksheets, and projects. Writing makes me feel separated from the real world and it opens a new world of imagination where I can express everything. When I write, it’s like the same process as creating a gigantic ever-growing photo album. I imagine a lot of interesting ideas and writing is the only area where I can store the ideas and make it a complete “photo” for the album. Now come and join me and let’s create new “photos” together.
Featured essay in portfolio: “Support for Students with Disabilities”
Currently working on: “Zoos & Aquariums in the Bay Area”
Ryan C.
Grade: 7th
School: Bernal Intermediate School
Hobbies/Interests: Rubik’s Cube, Swimming, Math
Why I write: I wish for the best when it comes to my country, which is why I have a question. What do a fantasy book, chess, a Rubik’s cube, and math have in common? For me, it's a branch of my life to depict images, explore challenges, learn, and improve. That’s how I think when I write, and how I hope I can help others. Everything has technique, practice, and dedication, something I work my hardest for and writing is no different. I always plan to have anything I make be great, so in the future, I am able to say, “I dedicated my life to this, and hope to pass this on to others.” That is why I love to write.
Featured essay in portfolio: “AI in the Education System”
Currently working on: “The Bay Area Food Scene”
Michael S.
Grade: 6th
School: Ralston Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, Soccer, Art
Why I write: Blood, sweat, tears. This is the way that life goes, and the same goes with writing. You work as hard as possible 100% every time to make this essay, story, or argument perfect. That's my approach to life and writing. I write because it is an art I have not yet mastered. Writing is a way to get a message out into this world. I want to take my part in leading this world to a brighter future. Practice makes perfect. Michael Jordan, Messi, Tom Brady, etc., were beginners. I might not be the greatest writer now but with practice, I can implant my visions for the world in others.
Featured essay in portfolio: “An American Dream”
Currently working on: “Homelessness in San Francisco”
David F.Y.
Grade: 9th
School: Bellarmine High School
Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, Coding, Volunteering
Why I write: My favorite thing about writing is if your writing is good enough people will read through your essays and consider your opinion. Whenever I write about a topic, I learn new information through my research. This year I learned about homelessness and how to read and write about Shakespeare. I also learned new grammar techniques that help me convey my ideas as a writer. Additionally, whatever I write will always be my own ideas. This means I can treat a topic like no one else has or write about something new. Writing about something new means that there are no constraints and I can write about anything I want.
Featured essay in portfolio: “Is Homelessness a Choice?”
Currently working on: “Farmers Markets in the Bay Area'“
Tanisha S.
Grade: 10th
School: Leland High School
Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Biology, Singing, Tutoring/Teaching, Healthcare
Why I write: I write to deepen my understanding of the world, enhance my analytical skills, and learn how to be a powerful writer that speaks for change. Writing is an essential life skill, allowing us to convey thoughts and opinions clearly to communicate efficiently and effectively. I value the importance of building upon this skill and do my best to improve my proficiency as a writer.
Featured essay in portfolio: “Healthcare Assistance for Low-Income Has Been Ineffective”
Currently working on: “Coming Soon”
Shiyoung P.
Grade: 7th
School: Union Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Artistic Swimming, Tutoring, Dancing
Why I write: I write because I can express my feelings and creativity. I also like to write whenever I get a good idea in my head. Like when I was laying down to sleep, I got an idea for my short story. So, I got up and started writing. I also feel the most creative when I am writing, probably because I am trying so hard to get different ideas for different types of stories. Another writing genre that I like is non-fiction. I love writing about things that actually happened in real life!
Featured essay in portfolio:
Currently working on: