"I like to express myself creatively," says Mayra
Rivera, a twelfth grader at Bell Multicultural High
School.
Mayra likes to draw, paint and create jewelry. "I
try to find ways to see something different, rather than
just a strand of beads," she says.
Mayra is also a gifted writer. Her play,
Love What!? No!? Me a 10 Year Old?!
What? Uh-oh!! was featured in last
year's
Express
Tour and seen by over 1000 people throughout the
Washington area. Children and adults were
delighted by her original tale of Jaquelyn and her
"friend" Stinky Brian. She captured the
discomfort, earnestness and hilarity of an elementary
school love triangle.
Mayra is planning to apply to become a
part of the
Young
Playwrights' Workshop. "I'd like to write a
book," she says. "I sometimes get discouraged, but
I have so many ideas."
Mayra has great advice for other young writers:
"Some people think that the fact that they're young
means that nobody will listen. Through YPT I learned
that people do listen. Just express yourself and
don't care what other people say."
