By Lina Norris-Raman, TIWP Student For the girl who smokes outside the school, we all know she’s struggling.For the girls who judge her, they deceive themselves into believing they’re okay. They criticize her to avoid confronting their own issues. They belittle her to gain acceptance, to fit in. Perhaps it’s all they’ve ever sought.For the […]

By O. Deng, TIWP Student“I have been woman / for a long time / beware my smile.” —Audre Lorde Beware of my smile. Just because I smile at you in the hallways doesn’t mean I like you, and just because I don’t, doesn’t mean I hate you. I smile at you when I feel like […]

By O. Deng, TIWP Student “I sleep. I dream. I make up things that I would never say.” — Richard Siken I sleep. I dream. I make up things that I would never say. I do things I would never do. Like giving that boy way more attention than I should. Like giving up on school […]

By Annabelle Kennedy, TIWP Student I wonder what it would be like, to meet my old self.Little girl with her pigtails and glasses and cheese crumbs on her sleeves. What would I say to her? You’ve changed a lot, over the years. You don’t lose your creativity, I can tell you that much. Do you know that you’ll miss […]

By Lila Weis, TIWP Student Freedom. It’s like feeling a cool breezy wind blowing on your face.It’s like straightlining your favorite run.It’s like riding the chairlift with all of your friends.It’s like racing them to the bottom. Freedom.It’s like eating lunch at the lodge with your teammates.It’s like getting advice from your coaches after each run.It’s […]

By Katelyn Forschler, TIWP Student You are a horrible person. Okay okay…maybe that is a little bit harsh. You are a guy whose ego is larger than their personality. You are a smart guy who says all the wrong things. You are the most caring narcissist I have ever met. Notice how confusing your traits […]

By Aya Riseman, TIWP Student Life is hard. You never know which people you can trust, yet you have to trust people.  Life is hard. You’re told to “be unique” or to “stand out,” while there is constant pressure to conform to the standards of society.  Life is hard. You may find yourself being used […]

By Aya Riseman, TIWP Student Waking up, the first thing I do is reach for my phone. I’ll check my texts or scroll on TikTok for hours, not thinking about how lucky I am to be here at all. Walking outside, I barely appreciate the beauty of the world, mainly focused on whatever’s happening on […]

By Aya Riseman, TIWP Student“Race you to the ocean!” I scream I run down the sand, ignoring the way it burns my feet.  The waves crash to the shore, getting taller and taller as I get closer. The 90-some degree heat should be slowing me down, but instead I go faster, as if my body […]

Genet Dutto, TIWP Student I feel most alive when anticipation runs through my body as I lace up my shoes and embark on my journey. I feel most alive when the soft touch of my sneakers grazes the pavement beneath me. I feel most alive when I leave my worries and doubts behind. I feel […]