Indianapolis Youth Write Loud And Proud

Week #1

HRES: Write the story of a time something or someone made you cry (or want to cry).

Syiid P, age 8

“I Lost My Mom”

My mom told me to bring something down and I didn’t know where she was. So, I went outside in search for her and there my dad’s friend asked me if I was lost. I said “I didn’t know where my mom was.”

So I got in the car and he drove me across from the house. So I said “my mom wasn’t here.” So he drove me back across and went inside the house and I went downstairs. I saw my mom crying and I was crying too, because I didn’t know where my mom was.

Saint florian- cash: Since you asked, I’ll tell you why…

Anyiah L, age 15

“Since you asked, I’ll tell you why…I feel so nervous.”

I feel nervous because what happens now? What will come to be? Why will it come to be? Is it going to be bad? Good? Heartbreaking and heart wrenching? Will I lose everything I worked hard for? Will I finally break pieces of my sanity together–snap–like the pasta you break to make spaghetti that will break every Italian’s heart and set them ablaze.

I worked hard, I kept on my feet with all the pushing and the shoving to desperately knock me down. I’m nervous, what happens when I fail, let down everyone you gave up time in their limited lifetime. Just to see I’m a complete fool, a tryhard that will never make it. “Someone’s waiting for my spot,” nerves say, rocketing through my body. 

felege hiywot: What role do you think you play when collaborating with your classmates at school? OR What role do you think you play when you are collaborating with your family members? 

Simone S, age 14

“Leadership Can Change”

At school, group projects are pretty much bound to happen. Even without group projects, teamwork is an important aspect in the classroom. Depending on the project, working in a group can be easier or can speed up the process. I think when I work with a partner, my role is to give out ideas for the other people to try and/or be the helper–get supplies, information, etc. That’s a role I think I am okay with.

I’m not big on being the boss or the leader, but being the helper on the sidelines. I think the helper is the perfect role for me because I tend to be quiet at school sometimes. I like being helpful because it’s not doing nothing and it’s not taking charge, so right in the middle. That being said, at home I am the oldest of six, so sometimes I have no choice but to be in charge.

Since my younger siblings don’t always know better, I’m the one who has to guide them, especially when my parents aren’t home or around us. I’ve learned about myself that depending on my level of comfort, my level of leadership can change. 

Week #2

hres: Playlist of My Life: think of a song that… makes you happy, makes you sad/cry, reminds you of your family, reminds you of your friends, you love to sing, you know all the words to, makes you think of a holiday, makes you want to dance, etc. Now…pick one song from your list. Tell the story of why that song is on your list.

Syria W, age 10

“My Life in Music”

1. Sweetner- Ariana grade
2. Bubblegum- Clario
3. Jealousy, Jealousy – Oliva Rodirogo
4. Hayloft 1- Mother
5. All I Want for Christmas is you- Mariah Carey

Songs from the 90s and late 80s reminds me of my dad and he listens to artists TuPac, The Notorious B.I.G. and Eazy E.  It reminds me of when I was younger and he would play it around me.  With my cousin who was a DJ.  I don’t know any of the song names but I like them. 

saint florian: Describe a scar you have and tell the story of how you got it.

Anyla S, age 10

“My Bunk Bed Accident”

One day at night I was sleep and I thought I was going to have a nice sleep. Well I thought wrong!! I had no rail at the time and I am on the top bunkbed. I am a wild sleeper. Then a big thump. I fell. I woke up I felt fine and then I went in my mom’s room. She said, “Omg what happened I am calling your auntie.” My auntie is a nurse. So we went in the bathroom and got it taken care of. I was bleeding a lot and had to clean the blood up off the floor with two scars on my head and my sister was still sleep. I got back in bed and did not go to sleep. The next morning I went in my mom’s room and fell asleep because I was so tired. When I was sleep my auntie came over and helped me I don’t know what she did because I was sleep. But when I woke up an hour later and felt much better. And I was so embarrassed. The scar is there to this day. 

saint florian- cash: Tell me the story about how you got your name (if you know it). Tell me the different versions of your name that are spoken or written–affectionately (like from family or friends) and not affectionately– mispronounced, misspelled, or replaced with something easier to say.  

Amiia B, age 16

“Double” (EXCERPT)

My name is Amiia A-M-double-I-A. I was the first niece, daughter and granddaughter in my family and I was very honored to have my name created by my grandmother. I think my name defines me because it is a combination of my mom’s, aunt’s, uncle’s, grandma’s and grandpa’s and they all are a part of me and who I am. My mom’s beauty, my uncle’s art skills, my aunt’s style, my grandpa’s wisdom and my grandma’s brains.

Felege hiywot: Tell me a story about a time when you shared something with someone who needed it. 

Micaiah H, age 14

“I Help Where I Can”

I don’t remember any specific time I shared advice, but I can tell about my experiences giving advice. When I was little, about 6 years old, my life was suddenly pulled out from under me. I was laying in my bed, about to fall asleep, when I heard a loud noise, akin to how fireworks sound. My eyes snapped open and my heart skipped a beat as another sound rang through my house. I heard screaming from my sisters room, the  hurting kind. I jumped up out of my twin size bed and strode to the door. Another pop rung out, and I heard glass breaking, and walls tearing. I paused for a second, my  confidence fleeting, before I swallowed my fear and flung open the door. I looked through the hallway to my sister’s room and saw Hadessa on the floor clutching her leg, blood dripping down her leg. In that horrific moment I realized, the loud noises were guns and the tearing walls were caused by bullets. My house was caught in the cross fire of a gun fight when I was six to make it short. And I’ve been able to use this event to give advice to those in pain, suffering, loss, or going through traumatic events. But if you are seeking help don’t come to me, go to a professional, but I’ll help where I can.

Week #3

HRES: Write a story about your favorite thing to do in the summertime.

Caelyn F, age 9

“The Zoo!”

This is the time when I went to a zoo for the first time in the summer. That was the best time in my life!  On a hot summer day, my mom told me and my little brother and big sister that we need to put on some clothes to go out in and not our PJ’s. So, we put on some clothes! Then, we left the house and went to my TeeTee’s house. Then we went to the Indianapolis Zoo and it was so fun! I saw a fish, a snake, a turtle, a flamingo and that’s what I saw at the zoo! I loved it so much! The flamingos were my favorite, but we only went to a couple areas, not all of them. 

Saint florian: Tell me the story of what happened when you lost someone important.

Nick J, age 9

“Christmas Eve”

I lost my mom at walmart. Then, I found her and I called my dad and we went to my cousin’s house. When I lost my mom I felt sad. I was in the food and I found her in the toys. When I went home my brother and I played Fortnite. And then me and my brother played with toys and we went to the park and the ice cream shoppe. We went to Dave and Busters and Smiley’s. I was happy when I found my mom. We went to the gun store and saw my brother working. We went on a flight to Georgia (we were going on vacation). Then, me and my baby cousin played outside. After that, we went back home. We had a good night. The next morning me and my baby brother woke up and saw a lot of toys. We got a lot of good stuff at Christmas. He bought me an iphone and airpods. We went to Chick-Fil-A and got some food. 

felege hiywot: Describe the most colorful place you’ve ever been. Tell the story of something that happened there

Vernon H, age 14

“Circle City “

The most colorful place I have been to is my hometown of Indianapolis. The diversity between the colors of the towering skyscrapers to the Indianapolis 500 to the loud Interstates that run throughout make Indiananpolis more beautiful than Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. 

Those cities implement a copy and paste style which can come off as bland and boring at times, but not Indianapolis because we have a diverse set of infrastructure. From the Carmel and Fisher north suburbs to the Southside industrial complexes, Indianapolis is by far one of the most colorful cities in the United States of America. 

The East side displays this color the most because you have lower income areas that diversify the landscape mixed in with middle and higher class areas that are all right next to each other. The Indiana State Fairgrounds is the icon of the East side because when the Fair comes to the city, it illuminates the sky with colors and lights from the rides and attractions.  Indianapolis is so colorful that when I was younger, I thought a rainbow had melted over the city. 

Indy—the place I love dearly—is the most colorful city and nowhere else comes close to the color and charm of Indianapolis. 

bonus excerpt from fh!! Look at yourself in the mirror. Describe how you see yourself. How would your friends describe you? How would strangers describe you?

Counselor Mike, age 20

“Mirror, Mirror”

week #4

hres: Write about a tradition you have in your home. Is it for a holiday, for your culture, or something else? What do you do for this tradition? When does it happen?

Shazma M, age 10

“Ramadan”

Ramadan is what my religion celebrates. Only 12 year olds and older can fast. They fast until the sun goes down. We eat fruit and dates; then, we eat food we haven’t eaten a lot over the year. On the last day of Ramadan we eat it still the same. By the way, women/girls wear hijabs when we do Ramadan. The day after the day of Ramadan it’s Eid and we go to the mosque and pray and we get free donuts. We dress nicely as well. 

saint florian: When I look in the mirror, I see…. (list everything you can think of)

Brooke H, age 13

“When I look in the Mirror”

When I look in the mirror I don’t like what I see. I don’t like my face, the acne that never goes away, the crazy amount of facial hair I have or even how weird my nose is shaped. I love the length of my hair, but I don’t like how much lint I collect or how much the color in my hair has faded. I hate when my hair isn’t done, that’s when I feel the ugliest. I dislike my body the most even though people like my little sister adore it. No matter what I do, how many sports I play or how much I strive. I will never have the body I want. I wish I was like my friends who wear halter tops without it looking weird or low waist jeans without noticing a fat back. My mother thinks I’m pretty, and so do my friends. I honestly wish I could see what they see, but I don’t. 

saint florian- cash: Write a letter to your future self. OR Write a letter to someone who doesn’t exist yet. Tell them the most valuable lessons you have learned in life.

Sonnie T, age 14

“Letter 2 My Daughter” (EXCERPT)

I am going to make sure you know what the world has to offer. The scary yet beautiful thing called life. You are going to be a very STRONG Black WOMAN. Your life will be very important to me. I will treat you like a queen and nothing else. If anyone calls you out of your name I bet I’ll correct their grammar. You are not just my star, you are a star, and I already know I’m going to fall in love with you the moment I see you. 

felege hiywot: Is there someone you miss or lost? Tell me a story about that person.

Alexis A, age 13

“Trayanna”

A person that I miss that I will never be able to talk to again is my cousin. My cousin died in 2018 due to a seizure in her sleep. We were really close and we did everything together. It was me, her and my other cousin. Trayanna is the name of my cousin who passed, and the other cousin’s name is Kassidy. It was always us three. We would play games together and we would go places all the time. Trayanna was older than me and my other cousins. Kassidy and I were about 10 years younger than Trayanna. One thing I regret is not telling her bye when she left my house the day before she died. She will always be in my memory. I miss her and think about her a lot. 

week #5

hres: Write the story of a day that did not go the way you expected it to. 

Danny Hernandez, age 9

“Scared!”

It was the weekend and my cousin came over.  My cousin and I were playing Call of Duty Zombies. Everybody was asleep and all the lights were off; only my cousin and I were awake. We were hungry, so I had to get some food. I went to the kitchen and got some cookies. The cookies were on the oven. I grabbed them and heard something. So I ran out the kitchen and dropped the plate. The plate broke and my mom woke up. She made me turn off the game and my cousin had to go home. I also had to go to bed.

felege hiywot: What is a time you planted a seed and is now blooming in your life.

Neveah W, age 15

“Growth”

There is a seed I put out there just a few days ago, and so far it has come to a good place. I’ve been in a bad place for so many months, but then he started texting me and he started to make me smile. He was goofy but sweet. We talk so much about nothing, but it was never boring. I really don’t know why, but I was happy— like non-stop happy. I loved every second of it. He finally came out and said something along the lines of him having a crush on me, and I felt the same so my seed finally got put fully into the ground and is slowly growing into a pretty lovely plant. I can’t wait to see it at its greatest. 

week #6

felege hiywot: tell the story about what happened when you felt you had no worries in the world and total comfort.

Haliyah P, age 14

“Growing Up Is Wishing You Never Grew Up At All”

My favorite most comfortable place is probably not in my house but on my elementary playground. I say the elementary playground because I went to man different elementary schools in elementary school. It never really felt like school. It just kind of felt like somewhere I went to see my friends. You never had to be worried about anything just petty fourth grade drama. The playground is where many things would happen that we would talk about all day. Endless make believe stories and you would never get bored. Anything like backflipping down the big slide to playing house. No one was worried about being popular or who’s dating who. Nothing was ever serious. Some days we would be running around the whole playground other days we’d simply be reading a book, drawing, or writing. We used to always write stories about going to high school and what we’d thought it would be like. (It is nothing like what I thought it would be like). And now that I am actually going I don’t even know what to do with myself. It’s like I know I’ll actually be attending classes as a freshman next week and I knew I’d always go to high school. It’s a lot to process. I haven’t even processed the fact that 8th grade is over or that I was ever even in 8th grade to begin with and by the time I’m able to process it all, I’ll already be graduated and an adult. On the playground there was nothing to precess. Your biggest worries were walking laps standing on the fence and wether or not you had enough time to finish the game before recess was over. Sometimes we’d even carry the game on into lunch. I’d give anything to do it all again even just for a day. And to think we were obsessed with growing up them=n, and now that we are, we just want to go back to the playground. Although I know I’ll never be able to recreate that comfort, I hope that I’ll be able to work hard to live a pretty stress free life and do the things I enjoy. And I guess I’ll just have to make the best of whatever life throws at me. Looking back on the playground, I’ve learned that sometimes you don’t have to take life so seriously and although work is important, you need to have a balance of working and having fun.