The youth-written stories in Represent give inspiration and information to teens in foster care while offering staff insight into those teens’ struggles.

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From the Author From the Author - Videos
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Some Represent stories on this site, as well as stories from our sister publication, YCteen, are accompanied by “From the Author” videos. In these short videos, writers explain how they were inspired to write a particular story, introduce the theme of that story, and talk about what the writing process meant to them.

“From the Author” videos are meant to be shown in the classroom as a way to engage students before they read the accompanying stories. We hope that seeing videos of peers who have successfully written, revised, and published their stories will reinforce for our readers the power and value of writing.
Videos - From the Author - Always the Outcast

Christian Pimentel on Bullying
Always the Outcast—by Christian Pimentel
Christian has been bullied verbally and physically since elementary school. He tries to fit in with a group of cool kids by wearing eyeliner, nail polish, and different clothes. But the students with the Mohawks and piercings don't treat him any better.
[FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON BULLYING]
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Videos - From the Author - Fighting Words

Margarita Martinez on Stereotypes
Fighting Words—by Margarita Martinez
Margarita, who is Latina, unintentionally offends a black classmate when she stereotypes her. After the two girls cool down and talk, they develop a friendship and realize how important it is to see people as individuals. [FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON STEREOTYPES]
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Videos - From the Author - Letting It Out

Ashunte Hunt on Poetry
Letting it Out—by Ashunte Hunt
Ashunte is angry and depressed about the death of his parents, and releases his pain in violent outbursts. Listening to hip hop inspires him to write a poem, and he soon realizes that poetry can help him control his anger. [FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON WRITING]
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Videos - From the Author - Dirty Dancing

Janill Briones on Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing—by Janill Briones
Janill is appalled by the openly sexual dancing that goes on at her school dance. Her friends try to get her to join in, but she feels awkward and grossed out. [FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON SEXUALITY]
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Videos - From the Author - Bum-Rushed by My Past

Natasha Santos on Anger
Bum-Rushed by My Past—by Natasha Santos
An abusive past has left Natasha with a lot of anger, but she learns to hide her feelings. She is eventually adopted by a family she trusts, but her bad feelings re-surface during a scary panic attack.
[FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON ANGER]
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Videos - From the Author - Bum-Rushed by My Past

Antwaun Garcia on "Crack Baby"
They Called Me 'Crack Baby'—by Antwaun Garcia
When fellow students discover he can't read, Antwaun is teased and called a "crack baby." He struggles in school for a while, but decides not to let his past hold him back and eventually makes it to college.
[FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON ADDICTION]
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Videos - From the Author - Bum-Rushed by My Past

Janill Briones on the First Amendment
Do Teens Care About Free Speech?—by Janill Briones
Janill interviews fellow high school students to find out what they know about the First Amendment and free speech. She's shocked to discover how ignorant they are about the Constitution, and how little appreciation they have for the freedoms it guarantees.
[FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON POLITICS]
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Videos - From the Author - Bum-Rushed by My Past

Percy Lujan on the Meaning of Life
Talking to the Ceiling—by Percy Lujan
As he grows up, Percy stops believing in heaven and hell. But after witnessing the passing of an old man his mother has been caring for, he tries to understand the mystery of life and death.
[FULL TEXT] [MORE STORIES ON DEATH AND LOSS]
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