Spring 2022: Our First Quarterly Newsletter!
PC: Brandon Moningka
Dear YS Community,
We have so much going on at Young Storytellers this year, and thought we’d keep everyone updated on what we’re up to through a quarterly newsletter! In this issue, in addition to letting you know how to get involved with our programming and events, you’ll meet Young Storytellers alum Eliana Pipes, volunteer Annie To, educator Steven Uhrin and donor and Board Member Koko Archibong in our Storyteller Spotlights.
Getting Involved: Volunteering and More
PC: Tom Jenkins
Programs are starting up, and we’re so excited to see our students and volunteers back in the classroom for Script to Stage, Collaborative Stories, Middle School Stories, and High School Stories.
We’ve been working closely with our partner educators and schools to monitor the safest conditions for everyone, but in the meantime, make sure you get signed up for trainings, send in your COVID-19 vaccination info, and get cleared for TB. Katie, our Volunteer Support Specialist, is recruiting for all programs, so look out for her emails. If you have questions about volunteering, contact us!
If you have talents in art, graphic design, photography, video editing, copyediting, or translation, we’d love for you to join our Creative Collective to assist with various projects throughout the year. We also know that many people, particularly BIPOC individuals, prioritize paid gigs over volunteer opportunities.
Though we are a nonprofit with a limited budget, we also want to value the time and talent that people are so kind to share with us. So, we will be offering a small stipend for each project as a thank you. If so chosen, all or a percentage of this amount can be donated back to us. If you are interested, please fill out this form and we will reach out when a project becomes available.
We’re so grateful for everyone that gives of themselves to help us do what we do — you can check out the names of our donors and volunteers on our Supporters page!
ICYMI – In 2021:
PC: Brandon Moningka
Returned to the in-person classroom with more than 20 programs in the Fall!
We established our Worldview outlining and setting concrete goals for our commitment to DEIB and anti-racism!
We held a variety of in-person and virtual workshops/events for our volunteers to build connections and prepare them for the classroom!
We launched Story Time, a free digital storytelling program that consists of a series of 12 interactive YouTube videos and activities, through a partnership with AT&T so that students everywhere can tell their stories!
We brought our Biggest Show annual fundraiser back in-person, highlighting YS student and alumni stories!
Up and Coming:
Creating Conditions for Learning - Virtual Workshop: learn how to foster a classroom space that encourages students to express their full selves on Thursday 2/17 at 5:30 PM PT, taught by Dr. Kai Mathews and Dr. Stanley Johnson of UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools. RSVP here.
Sign up to Volunteer: programs start February 2and trainings are underway. Sign up here to volunteer in-person with us this semester!
For YS Alumni!
Alumni 18+ Dinner: we are hosting an alumni dinner on Thursday 2/24 to catch up with our alumni who are 18 and up! RSVP here!
Calling all alumni: if you’ve updated your mailing address since your program or are no longer in L.A, please fill out this form to update us and tell us which types of virtual/in-person events you’d like to see this year!
Sign up here for a free arts workshop masterclass in spoken word and zine making on 2/3 hosted by CA Create Student Voices Campaign!
STORYTELLER SPOTLIGHTS
Meet a Young Storytellers Alum
Eliana Pipes, she/her
Script to Stage, 2004
What personal identities are important to you?
I’m an artist, an Angelino, a Notion enthusiast, a Cancer Sun and of course a Young Storytellers superfan.
What are you up to now?
I’m a playwright and screenwriter. I'm currently in Atlanta where my play DREAM HOU$E is about to open at the Alliance Theater. From there it will be moving to Long Wharf Theater New Haven and Baltimore Center Stage. In 2021 I wrote, directed and produced an animated short film that recently wrapped production. I’m also honored to be serving on the Young Storytellers Board of Directors.
What was your story about?
I wrote an adventure story about a princess who was going on a journey on a boat, and I think she was trying to save a prince from danger. I had written it as a tense, taut, epic drama — and it was received with loads of laughs from the audience. Thankfully that didn’t bother me and I fell in love with script writing anyway.
What is something you remember the most from your time at YS?
I remember the infinite patience and kindness of my wonderful mentor Merle Goldberg, and being so grateful that she was doing the typing because my hands were covered in Cheeto dust. At the close of our program she gave me a small beautiful jewelry box that I kept and treasure to this day.
How did you get reconnected to YS after your program ended?
I started pursuing playwriting in high school, and a friend reconnected me with YS after she saw me post about winning a writing prize. From there, I dove back into the organization. I was an intern in the office for a summer, I was an actor in Big Shows, and I founded and head-mentored a college chapter of Young Storytellers in Harlem when I was a student at Columbia. Now I serve on the Young Storytellers Board.
What makes you continue engaging with Young Storytellers?
I stay with Young Storytellers because I sincerely believe in their mission around creative empowerment. I’ve felt the impact of that creative empowerment foundation in my own life, and especially now I think that the tools of self-expression and social and emotional learning are crucially important for young people (and all people).
What do you want current and future YS students to know?
I hope you keep writing — whether you have professional aims as a creative or not!
One of my favorite parts of Young Storytellers is that the program starts with the gift of a notebook. I think it’s so valuable to have a space to put down thoughts that aren’t related to school or work — to keep yourself company, tell yourself jokes, hold on to your passing thoughts, write down your dreams.
Writing is the one part of the creative process that nobody has to give you permission to do — actors have to wait for a part, directors have to wait for a project — writing is something you always have the power to do yourself.
Writing always gives you the agency to tell your story, your way, in your voice.
Meet a Volunteer
Annie To, she/her
What first brought you to YS?
My friend Junesoo Ham invited me to perform at a Big Show... this was probably in 2015! I had such a blast! After that semester, I moved abroad to teach English in South Korea and in Spain, but when I got back in 2017, I immediately started up again with YS! That's when I began mentoring and have been, every semester since! Starting at Wilshire Crest was how I met the daring David DeSantos, who was the head mentor there at the time. I haven't felt nervous mentoring since working with David--he makes resolving conflicts fun...who does that?!
As a long time volunteer, what keeps you coming back each semester?
Enabling a child's imagination is such a gift. I was grateful for my teachers who encouraged me to write stories when I was at Latona Elementary. Being able to do that for students--future writers--is so rewarding and exciting--that's what keeps me coming back. Where there are curious minds, there will always be ready teachers.
Congratulations on becoming a Head Mentor! What are you most looking forward to this semester?
Dude--I'm nervous about being a head mentor! I'm taking a baby step into it, by co-head mentoring with the effervescent Kirstin Kluver at Betty Plasencia Elementary. I'm thrilled to get to know the writers and help them on their journey of storytelling. Every semester I'm astounded by how aware these students are, how considerate they are of others, and how they learn to be their bigger selves because of YS.
Meet an Educator
Steven Uhrin, he/him
Teacher at Vine Street Elementary School
What personal identities are important to you?
Father, Husband, Brother, Son, Thai, Gay, Teacher, Runner
What made you want to become a teacher?
I am still asking myself that, lol . . . but seriously, my earliest memory of wanting to be a teacher was during my senior [year] of high school when I worked as a peer mentor with students with disabilities. I enjoyed that experience and it stayed with me as I was making my career path decisions. Also, to be honest, I didn't want to work with adults. It was hard to imagine myself in meetings and making business type decisions.
What do you love about your job?
As cliche as it is, I love it when I can see that my students get a concept or they are successful with something new. I also love being able to see the overall growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Plus, I'm pretty goofy and it's always been easy for me to get along with my students and have a great time!
How long have you been working with Young Storytellers?
4-5 years.
What makes you continue working with Young Storytellers?
It's easy to work with Y.S. The students love the experience and the end result is always a great show.
Meet a Donor
Koko Archibong, he/him
What personal identities are important to you?
First generation Nigerian American.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience with Young Storytellers and why you’re involved?
From the first time I learned about YS I was excited to be involved with the organization any ways I could. YS for me represented an opportunity I think I wished I had in my younger years to find my voice especially seeing now later in life how critical effective communication is for literally everything we do as professionals. Year after year I am always blown away by the depth of the stories that the kids we serve create and the confidence that they exude at the end of the program. Providing the necessary space and opportunity for as many young people to experience that is why my family and I are proud to support the organization today and going forward.
