Will perform: "An Open Letter to My Father"- an open letter

"I'm not a usual writer; I actually hate writing, but sometimes I have to find an outlet for my feelings. I write when I have no other way to express myself. This piece shows how hard it is to love someone you hate. It show what alcoholism can do to someone, even when they are not the alcoholic. I struggled a lot through my years at school, and have had some amazing teacher who were always there to help me. This is why I plan on becoming a teacher myself. I want to be there for kids and help them understand concepts that might have been hard to understand before. I plan on attending the University of Missouri or MIZZOU in the fall."

Will Perform: "I pray that We Make it to Summer", "Sanity vs Insanity", and "The Light of a Million Cities"- poems

"I’ve been writing poetry for a few years, and I’ve really fallen in love with it. It’s a great way for me to get my emotions out in a healthy way and it’s also fun and comforting. After high school, I plan to go to college and study creative writing and hopefully do this professionally."

Will Perform: "The Brain and The Heart"- poem

I started writing in middle school. My reading teacher, Mrs. Boschert, and my ELA teacher, Mrs. Holliday, encouraged me to continue writing and grow on my skill. I am so thankful and blessed to have had their influence. I’ve been writing songs for two years, and short stories since middle school. My writing is strictly fictional because I see the fictional world more as home than the place I live.

“The Brain and The Heart” was inspired by a very funny comedian by the name of Bo Burnham. He has a song called “The Left Brain and The Right Brain”. Of course this song was comical, but it also gave me a wonderful concept for a poem. I started “The Heart” During my freshman year of high school. I was “in love” with this guy that didn’t seem to show any interest in me. I was hurt and desperate. I began to mindlessly write and so “The Heart” was created. I left that poem alone until November of 2018. I was going through a box of old things and found the poem.

When I was told about Writer’s Week, I instantly knew that I had to have my poem in. I edited the poem and thought of what the counterpart would be like. I submitted and I’m so glad that I did. I think it shows a very real example of the struggle of love and trust.

My plans after high school is to go to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. I plan on majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I hope to create a machine that can use genetic information to treat and potentially cure diabetes. On a side hope, the machine might go on to cure other major illnesses.

Will Perform: "Horse Scream"- fantasy fiction

"I write because it is a fun and creative hobby! One of my inspirations is my older sister, Bethany, who has been in Writer’s Week her whole high school year. I plan to go to college for animation or film making."

Will Perform: "Why They Mad"- hip hop

"I was inspired to write by listening to the great works of Common and Eminem and KRS One, Mos Def, and many others. These rappers, among many others, intrigued me because they never rapped about the stuff that they heard on the radio, (yeah they may have rapped about mainstream genres every once in a while) but their main goal was to create music that made people THINK. They wanted the people to FEEL what they were saying to be EDUCATED. These rappers fall under a category called conscious hip hop which is basically hip hop fueled with politics and love and philosophy. In my piece I wanted to pay homage to these artists by making a piece that is dedicated to my fellow black brother and sisters who are hated on constantly in society for just trying to be successful. I am asking society why are they so mad at us when we are just trying to be successful and lead meaningful lives just like everyone else. I am interested in making music that opens minds to the world as it REALLY is: the good, the bad, AND the ugly. I feel that we are so brainwashed by the agenda that the media tries to thrust into our heads that we don’t focus on what’s REALLY important, and I aim to change that. After I graduate I plan on attending UMSL and getting my MBA, and then possibly starting my own restaurant business. I hope that I can inspire young and old alike to be the best that they can be and show them that they can change the world and to never let ANYONE tell them otherwise. I want the youth to know that their lives don't have to be what they hear or see on TV or in the radio and that they can be their OWN person and live there OWN dream.

Will Perform: "What is Growth?"- short story

"I started writing a couple of years ago when I was having a difficult time expressing and addressing my feelings, and it really helped me sort out what I felt. After I started feeling better I began writing for fun, and I thoroughly enjoy it now! The real message of my piece is to show people that sometimes you have to truly dig deep and think about some questions before you can answer them, and that growth is achievable. I plan on enlisting in the Army after high school and plan on finding a military based career afterwards. I have incredible family and friends who have been besides me since the start and I couldn't thank them enough for all of the love and support they give me."

Will Perform- "I’ll be There, Down The Road I Go"-poem

"I’m very active in Boy Scouts, and have learned a lot a skills from it. In Boy Scouts I am also a part of Order of the Arrow which is like a National Honor Society in Boy Scouts. I compete in multiple sports in school like baseball and wrestling, but I also play some sports on the side for fun like football, basketball, swimming, soccer. I have one brother and one sister, they are both older than me. My plans after high school are to go the college to become a chef/restaurant owner. The reason I write is because my brother did and he told me to give it a try and after I did I’ve done it ever since. I don’t really have a person that inspires me; I kind of do my own thing. The overall message of my piece is that when a friend or loved one is feeling down or depressed I will be there for them."

Will Perform: "I Rise"- poem

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I'm Kiah Young.The purpose of the my poem is to tell my own story of a time in my life. I struggled with bullies and people who didn't like me or what I stand for. All the young writers out in the world trying to make something of themselves and just trying to change the world for the better really inspired me to do what I do today. My message in this poem is to know that when times get hard never give up. We all go through tough things in life and just feel so stuck and feel like it won't get better but it does. It might not happen in the time you want but it will happen. There are a lot of things that I enjoy doing. Most of them you might find boring but hey, that’s okay. I like making people laugh and turning their bad days into good days when I can. Although, I have to say I'm more introverted than you think. I like singing until I can't sing anymore. After high school I want to go to school for music and hopefully start my music career. I also like writing novels and books of my own, and I do have one book on an app called wattpad so check me out @K_young4 (always plug)."

Will Perform: "Lotus"- song

"Music has always been a escape for me which I like to call my own Wonderland. Growing up I’ve always seem to find a way in some depressing or violent situation which affected my perspective on life completely, but day by day I’ve learned to make the most of things because not everything is gonna go great in life, but it’s those moments we all wish to never forget that we should cherish deeply. Music artists like Erykah Badu, Musiq SoulChild, Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan, and many more great singers inspired me to truly practice to own my voice. Now aside from the singers, Hip hop rap artists like Kendrick Lamar, Mick Jenkins, Outkast, Nicki Minaj, Noname, Notorious B.I.G, and Tupac Shakur influenced me on another level that I myself don’t have the words to explain at all.

My song “Lotus” focuses on the fixing of oneself mentally and spiritually after had gone through something that damaged them badly which leaves them as lost soul, trying to figure out how to rebirth a new soul."

Will Perform: "A Writer's Fantasy"- short story

"Hello, my name is May! I love writing entertaining stories. I love writing because, you get to make your own world or worlds.You can control what happens and draw in readers to fall in love with characters like I had as a kid and teen. I was inspired to write by Rick Riordan, one of my all time favorite authors. My piece conveys how I felt as girl in high school and all the overwhelming emotions I felt. I feel like many teens can relate to the high-school experience and the choices you make during your most crucial years."

Will Perform: "Growing Up"- short story/song

"I'm a 17 year old African American male who loves to write, motivate, and play songs on the cello. I want to grow up and be a politician, teacher, and established writer."

Will Perform: "Big L- Put it on Remix"- rap/song

"I find a sense of relief when I write. Rapping allows me to express myself in a way that is fun and creative. Not only does it give me an opportunity to voice myself, but I can also connect with the people that decide to listen to my music. I listen to all different types of music but rap is my favorite. I prefer old school hip hop but there are some new aged rappers that inspired me to start writing like J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Joyner Lucas. Those artists make music for their fans to connect to, not just for the money or the fame, it’s about being humble for me and being the voice for those people who can’t speak for themselves. My biggest inspiration on music is Tupac Shakur. He was the most influential artist of his time. The songs he made and things that he did changed the industry and I wish to do the same one of these days. I plan on going to the University of Utah to study under music and business just to learn a bit more so I won’t be clueless when it comes to the music industry itself. My overall goal is to go down as the greatest Rapper/Artist in history."