What sparked your interest in writing?

I’ve always enjoyed writing and creating stories about whatever’s on my mind. 

Can you tell us about the piece you’ve written for the Scholastic competition?

I wrote my essay about one of my favorite places to visit in the springtime, Brookside Gardens. I recalled a time when I visited there with my Grandmother who had pancreatic cancer. I didn’t know she would die so soon, but I could tell something was off. I wrote about the time we got to spend together. 

What did you enjoy about writing your essay?

I enjoyed capturing all the vivid details of Brookside Gardens. I have a lot of fond memories there and I can trace my childhood back.

What challenges did you face when writing your essay?

Revisiting Brookside in my memories also makes me remember my Grandmother, and I don’t like to think about her dying. Reliving our lovely memories together helped me reconcile those feelings. \

What are your future goals for your writing?

I want to write more often. It’s a great outlet for me and I appreciate any time I have to be creative.