Dear Kimani,

What a wonderful piece about Stan Kinard! Thank you for sharing your experiences and interactions with this important civil rights icon and activist. He was an important advocate for the Central Brooklyn Community and beyond. He will surely be missed. Rest in Power, Baba Stan Kinard…

Sincerely,

Lona

Hi Angelina,

Thank you for sharing your poem. I loved learning about you, your family and your culture through the language you used.

Have you read “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo? Do check it out, if you have a chance. I think you will like it.

Best,
Lona

I am proud of you too, May. Excellent work!

Great job, Muyar!

Congrats, Mamoun. I am glad that you put in the work and effort to get your fourth badge. Bravo!

Dear Naiara,

Wow, thank you for posting about xenotransplantion! I was unfamiliar with the term so your post definitely taught me something new. I look forward to learning more from you about genetic engineering.

So far, what surprises you most from your research?

Sincerely,

Lona

Dear Mamoun,

It is so nice to see your post on Youth Voices. Thank you for sharing your story.

I am impressed by how focused you are on getting to know yourself better so that you can figure out what you want your future to be. I love that you chose a jigsaw puzzle for your image because it tells us that you are figuring things out. That seems…[Read more]

What excellent advice, Mame!

Your voice is such an important presence here on Youth Voices, thank you!

Lona

Dear Muyar,

I enjoyed reading your story, thank you for sharing it.

I felt so excited to read that your family won the immigration lottery to come to the US. That is pretty cool!

I appreciate what you said about how difficult it is to have family time in a busy place like New York City. I think many families are trying to figure out how to find…[Read more]

Dear May,

Thank you for sharing your immigration story.

As an immigrant myself, your story made me remember what it feels like to leave home to make a new home in an unfamiliar place.

I am really interested to learn more about your baking and make-up hobbies. What is your favorite thing to bake? What kind of make-up do you like doing, for…[Read more]

You are welcome! Thank YOU, for being so open to trying all the projects we are working on in class. Your attitude and openness will carry you very far in life.

Wow, Mamoun! Your ideas are so encouraging. Reading your words can inspire people to want to try to do their best and never give up even when things seem very difficult.

Hi Munisa,
What is your favorite food to buy in your neighborhood?

Dear Naiara,

Thank you for sharing your beautifully written story. I learned so much about you and the things you value because of the honest and clear way you communicated your ideas.

One of the things that struck me about your story was this quote. “Even though I just have no more than a year and one month here my Spanish has been affected. I…[Read more]

Dear Mame,

Thank you for sharing your story. I really enjoyed reading it and I particularly loved how you expressed your thoughts about the importance of listening in building relationships.

I was fortunate enough to spend time in Senegal and I agree that there is such a difference between New York and Senegal. I am impressed by your…[Read more]

Dear Charmaine,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story and learning more about you. Your writing completely drew me in. I appreciate your sharing of the injustices your family, particularly your uncle, encountered in attempting to immigrate to the US.

I look forward to reading more of your posts on Youth Voices.

Sincerely,

Lona