As this semester comes to a close, we had a chance to reflect on the many students that filled the 826LA Writers’ Room at Manual Arts throughout the fall and worked tirelessly to perfect their personal statements by attending UC Personal Insight Questions Sessions and/or 7th Annual Great L.A. Personal Statement Weekend.
The Writers’ Room sees a lot of students — about 40 every week to be exact — and every single student makes an indelible mark on the continuing legacy of this space. From the very first outline all the way to the final edits — we have seen these students flourish on the Manual Arts campus. To shine a light on the vibrancy, creativity, and determination we see every day in the Writers’ Room, we took some time to ask some Manual Arts seniors why they write and what they’ve learned in the Writers’ Room.
Meet four of these amazing students below:
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Andrea
Target School: Boston College
“I find it hard to write about myself, but I love to write stories about my friends and my family. I write about the adventures they have and what they’ve been through.
T and Michael came into my classroom to talk about the Writers’ Room and PIQ sessions. At first, I was weirded out and I didn’t know what to expect, but they were welcoming and friendly. I was so nervous about the personal insight questions, but they made it so easy. After working with them, it just spilled out.”
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Jorge
Target School: Harvard University
“There is nothing better than the feeling that you accomplished your dreams. You all made this possible. Thank you.“
Update: Jorge received early admission to Harvard University!
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Idalia
Target School: Stanford University
“I get everything out there when I write. When I write, I can say the things that sometimes I don’t know how to say it out loud.
At first I was unsure about the PIQ session at the Writers’ Room, but then I got to know Michael and T. I didn’t feel good about my college essay and I thought I didn’t know how to write, but I now feel so supported with my essay.”
Update: Idalia received early admission to Stanford University!
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Andrea
Target School: Loyola Marymount University
“I was that weirdo that just peeked my head in and said hi. The Writers’ Room helped me a lot. After getting to know T & Michael and going through my PIQ session, I was able to explore more in my writing. My knowledge, imagination, and techniques expanded, especially in my college essay.” [/ezcol_1half_end]
Interested in becoming a part of 826LA’s Writers’ Room at Manual Arts High School? Read more about our In-Schools program here or sign up to volunteer.