Several Esperanza Academy Charter School students were recognized in the 2017 Annual Playwriting Festival, a program presented by Philadelphia Young Playwrights. Yazmin Ortiz received a second place distinction for her play, while Jeisha Hernandez, Kiara Mar, and Mateo Ruiz all placed third in the middle school category. For the high school, Genesis Fernandez placed second and Paola Guzman-Sanchez placed third. Each of the students worked with Esperanza Academy drama teacher Dwight Wilkins.
During the Annual Playwriting Festival, Philadelphia Young Playwrights invites students in the Greater Philadelphia region to submit their plays for review. Each student receives specific written feedback on their play and the best plays are recognized with a first, second, or third place distinction in the elementary, middle, and high school categories.
The Esperanza students emphasized the importance of writing as a form of self-expression and a creative outlet.
“I use writing to speak who I am, to tell my opinion, how I feel, and why I feel that way,” said Jeisha.
Yazmin agreed. “Writing is like a getaway,” she said. “When I write, it’s because maybe I’m frustrated or I had a bad day and I just take out all my anger and stress through writing.”
Your constant support for Esperanza helps us provide our students with enriching opportunities for creativity and self-expression, like our middle and high school drama program. We serve students like Genesis, who is minoring in Drama because she wants to be an English or drama teacher, as well as possibly an actress. Donate here, and empower students like Jeisha, Kiara, Mateo, Genesis, and Yazmin today.
