Our History

Written by Alexis in 2018

Dear Young Writers,

In the midst of so much chaos and uncertainty in our world, I’m grateful to deliver some happy news! WriteKids continues to build upon our mission statement established back in 2013. Our literacy efforts have reached children across the world for a third time, and our novel workshop “Dance Your Words” has impacted over 200 children in the local community. Education is still lacking for many children worldwide, especially at the secondary level. WriteKids is continuing our quest to inspire children and promote childhood literacy internationally. I’m pleased to report that WriteKids has successfully conducted our third international writing contest! Once again, WriteKids was able to inspire teenagers in Nepal to craft amazing, inspirational stories. This year was especially meaningful as the teenagers were able to escape reality, if only for a short time, to imagine and dream of a life without COVID-19 (see Contest Prompt). They truly embraced the spirit of creative writing! To date, over three contests, WriteKids has received over 1,050 stories. We awarded prizes to the winning entrants and donated funds to their school. It has been a dream come true working with these diligent, kind students, hearing their voices, and seeing their Imaginations come to life on paper from across the world. The judges and I were touched by their sincere, heartfelt stories. Please see Contest Tab for the winning stories.

On the home front, childhood illiteracy still remains a challenge. In 2019, I created a workshop called Dance Your Words which approaches literacy through an active, kinesthetic learning modality. It is most fulfilling to watch my vision come to life as laughter fills the air The children are improving their reading comprehension and writing skills all while having fun, which is what it’s all about! Plans are in the works to pivot Dance Your Words to a virtual platform as I continue to build upon this concept and spread literacy, one child at a time.

Thank you for visiting my website! Keep on writing and stay safel

XO,

Alexis

​​

Written by Alexis in 2016

Dear Young Authors,

Our 4th annual writing contest was a resounding success!  Recognizing the need for secondary education in developing countries, we expanded our annual writing contest to reach children in Nepal. The funds Writekids donated to St. Xavier’s School in Jawalakhel, Nepal helped rebuild their school (See photo gallery tab). We were overwhelmed by the number of stories we received from Nepal, totaling well over 500! These industrious Nepalese teenagers were so impressive with their fine talent and creativity, and it was tough to choose the winners, as a multitude of submitted stories were most worthy of recognition. Five contestants were awarded prizes, and you can access Contest Tab 2016 to view their stories.  We thank each and every contestant for their time and attention in writing their stories.  Therein lies one of the primary reasons Writekids was formed: to encourage and inspire creativity in children.  We’d say mission accomplished!

I’d like to share a few inspiring experiences I had last summer while visiting Dublin, Ireland.  This small island is home to a disproportionate number of literary giants.  Four Nobel prize winners: George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney, all hail from Ireland.  Their influence, and that of other famous Irish writers are felt throughout the city even today, especially at the Dublin Writer’s Museum, where priceless original works are displayed. Ulysses, Gulliver’s Travels, Dracula, The Importance of Being Earnest, Waiting for Godot, just to name a handful of Irish classics: Where would this world be without their great works of literature!  Another incredible experience was visualizing the Books of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin.  This is one of the most significant manuscripts dating from the early Christian era (c. 8th century).  The detailed, hand painted workmanship was beyond description. I hope every author can one day see this historic masterpiece.

In closing, we will continue our annual writing contest, focusing locally and internationally.  On the home front, Writekids continues to support our local communities. In fact, Writekids just concluded our 2017 Writing Contest.  This year, we turned our focus back to local, elementary age children, specifically  TK to 3rd graders (See Contest Tab for Winners).  It was gratifying to see the interest and enthusiasm in creative writing of these young children, especially in this digital age.  The children are well on their way to becoming skilled creative writers! During the holiday season, Writekids supports local charities with contributions of toys and books.  Throughout the year, I shall continue to volunteer reading for young school children in classrooms and libraries.  Also, I shall continue to distribute school supplies and  books to local school children in need of assistance.  Finally, consistent with my goal to promote literacy and writing creativity, I will continue to serve on the Teen Council of my local library.

Thank you for visiting my website!  Keep on writing and dreaming!

Best Wishes,

Alexis

Written by Alexis in 2015

Our third writing contest was a huge success, thanks to all the students who participated! I’m glad to read so much creativity in your stories. That’s what Writekids is all about – letting your imagination run free, whether taking a field trip to outer space or going to Candyland with your friends. Every story was so well-written and unique that the judging panel and I had a hard time picking winners! To find out who won, please view the stories on the Winners’ Page. There is more exciting news! We are pleased to announce the new prompt for our fourth annual writing contest. See Contest Tab for new prompt and other details.

As you see, WriteKids has grown so much over the past few years. I’m so happy to see it evolving into what I’ve imagined! Since my last post, I’ve been inspired by many literary experiences. I want to share some of them with you. Over my winter break, my parents and I went on a road trip to San Francisco. On the way, we stopped at Salinas to visit the National Steinbeck Center. There, I learned about author John Steinbeck’s incredible life. I learned how he wrote stories about ordinary people and everyday events about migrants and the agricultural or farming life. Did you know that John Steinbeck won both the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes? He wrote realistic, creative stories that became all-time classics. After visiting the Steinbeck Center, I learned there can be magic found in the ordinary life. You just have to look and use your imagination. Maybe there’s a Pulitzer Prize in your future?!

I want to share another memorable experience with you. Here’s a hint, this most inspiring author wrote the following quote: “When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived!” If you guessed Anne Frank, you are exactly right! I visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands last summer. Anne Frank was a thirteen year old girl who hid in an attic with her family and friends for two years during the war. She kept a daily diary which is now famous. It has sold 30 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages! Here we go…As I passed the bookcase concealing the entrance to the attic where Anne hid, I started to climb up the creaky, old stairs. With each step, it became more confining, dark, and musty. I began to feel sorry for her and wonder how she could hide here for so long. Then, I saw on the walls of her room magazine cut-outs of movie stars. Next, I walked up another set of stairs to the only window not covered up in the attic. There I saw daylight. That’s when I started to feel her bubbling spirit shining through. Suddenly, I realized something very important. Writing is very powerful. Anne was able to escape from worry and fear for those moments she was writing. Writing took her places she wanted to be and brought her emotions she wanted to feel, especially during the gloomiest days of her life. Wow, what a cool moment that was!

On a personal note, I am continuing my literacy efforts on the home front. I volunteered at my local library in the Young Readers Department last summer. This fall I have joined their Teen Advisory Committee to inspire all children to develop enthusiasm for reading, writing, and creating. But, volunteering is not just about books and literature. Throughout the year, Writekids will continue contributing books, school supplies, and toys to local charities. On the international front, Writekids is so pleased and proud to contribute to the children in Nepal. For each story you submitted to our 2015 contest, we have donated $10.00 to school children in earthquake ravaged Jawalakhel, Nepal.  Thank you to each and every participant for your wonderful story and for helping a most worthy cause.

I’ll look forward to reading more of your fantastic stories next year! Keep on writing!

XOXO, Alexis

Written by Alexis in 2013

In 2011, my mom, dad, and I visited Peru, mainly to see Machu Picchu. However, something unexpected happened—we were privileged to tour a school in Cuzco! (Pictures are shown above). We walked into a dark, dingy classroom cramped with kids about six years old. There were posters stuck to the walls and desks for each student, somewhat like the schools we have today. Our tour guide had to translate what we said into Spanish, because nobody spoke English. My family and I explained who we were and how excited we were to meet them, and the kids looked very interested but serious at the same time. We’d brought along school supplies, such as markers, crayons, pencils, notebooks, and erasers to hand out to the children. My dad asked them questions, like, “What’re the five vowels?” and whoever raised their hand and answered correctly would receive something. In the end, everyone got something, and there were even a few extras, but the teacher got to decide what to do with them. When it was time for us to leave, parents and siblings had congregated at the door to curiously watch us. I felt like a celebrity with 40 people staring at me, but overall, I had a fantastic time touring the school. When I was leaving, a girl with her face hidden by a red sunhat left a lasting impression on me. She was really shy, but I could tell she was grateful that people had come to visit her and her classmates. I wanted her to be able to imagine whatever she wanted and become whatever she wished, and she was partly the reason why I decided to collate and publish a bunch of my short stories, which would later become The Sky’s the Limit.
So far, my book has led us on all sorts of adventures! Just like Peru, we visited Jamaica in summer 2012. We met the principal of a school in Falmouth, and he was kind enough to show us several schools. The Falmouth All Age School was slightly similar to the Cuzco one—the classrooms were small and crowded with sparse furniture. The children were about my age, some younger, some older. They were so happy and friendly A crowd of students followed us around, as the principal introduced us to the teachers and showed us the playground. We took lots of pictures with the children and signed a record book of the school, which stated we’d visited on the exact date and explained what we came for. I felt guilty that we didn’t bring more for the kids, but they were polite enough not to mind and were happy with the books I gave.
The principal then gave us a very brief tour of their primary school with children up to age six. They were thrilled to pose for the camera when we snapped pictures! (See photos above). The primary students painted on leaves, and their playground wasn’t anything elaborate, but they seemed lucky to have what they did.
Also, I’ve donated copies of my book to pediatrics departments of two, big, local hospitals and even had my own book signing at the local library. Because it was my first book signing, I felt anxious and excited at the same time. I didn’t know if any people would come.. It turned out that around 50 people showed up to get a signed copy of my book! As they were hovering around my table, and I felt like J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books) signing all these books. After visiting international schools and a bunch of other cool places, I’ve been inspired to continue my efforts to encourage literacy in kids and let them be able to write and imagine freely. Like I mentioned before, we will hold writing contests twice a year for kids ages 8 to 12, with different topics that I will help choose. Don’t worry they’ll be fun prompts! You can win a certificate just for entering…how good is that! If you win, you will get a big prize, and your story will be posted on this website for the whole world to read. You too can be a celebrity! So come join us at Writekids, let your imagination run free, and remember the sky’s the limit!

Good luck,
Alexis