On Dec. 9, author Jennifer De Leon arrived at Convent and Stuart Hall. She will stay on campus and give speeches to students and faculty throughout the week.
Jennifer De Leon is an award winning young adult author. Some of her publications include Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, Borderless and White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing, according to library faculty Alyson Barrett.
“Like many of our visiting authors, Ms. De Leon courageously holds her identity in her work and has repeatedly encouraged students to express themselves via their own experiences,” Barrett said. “De Leon has indicated to students that the elements of her writing, both creative nonfiction and fiction, are infused with her lived experiences,”
Jennifer De Leon focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion, emphasizing the themes of race and immigration. Through the Story Bridge Project, Jennifer De Leon aims to create connections and understanding towards people with a marginalized and underrepresented background, according to junior Chiara Ferro.
“I think learning about Jennifer De Leon and her story is very inspiring and helps me find ideas in my own writing,” Ferro said. “As an author, it’s cool how she is able to connect with students of all ages and backgrounds,”
Previously, Jennifer De Leon had visited Convent and Stuart Hall during Cor Unum Week in the spring of 2023, along with Juana Martinez-Neal, Luis Alberto Urrea and Arawana Hayashi. Cor Unum Week, which occurs annually each spring, gives students the opportunity to learn and workshop with visiting speakers from across the country, according to senior Caroline Runneboom.
“I like how Cor Unum authors bring unique perspectives and share their stories as a writer each year,” Runneboom said. “Having these authors visit our school is special to our community and allows us to learn outside the classroom,”
The goal of Jennifer De Leon’s visit this year was to focus on the development of student writing skills. During her time this week, she hosted creative and non-fiction writing workshops for students in grades 7-10.
“She has guided them to create distinct voices and personalities through their writing, engaging with their own perspectives and life struggles,” Barrett said. “We hope these skills will serve students in their work at school, their creative pursuits, and later as they consider their personal narratives for college essays and beyond.”
