A Glimpse into the Thoughts of a Young Writer

Young writers only take off when they find their subjects.
Robert Morgan


The last two weeks at Vasco Núñez de Balboa Academy—where I have the privilege to teach—provided me with a wonderful opportunity to conduct one of my classes in the manner of a writing workshop. (This was after the seniors had completed their coursework. Once they had moved on with their lives, the class size shrunk to ten.)

We, I believe, had a terrific time planning, organizing, writing, and commenting on the personal essays each student produced. (I joined them, coming up with a piece of my own in this writing adventure.) Several essays were admirably well written, considering the short period of time we had to polish them. There was one essay, however, that, in my eyes, stood out: “The Power of Music,” by Kendra Senecal, a junior. During the writing workshops, Kendra, in a quiet yet competent way, assumed the role of leader, providing insightful and helpful editorial comments for her peers.

Based on what I observed this year, I believe that if Kendra chose a career in which writing plays a significant role, she will be successful.

Next year—we are now going on a well-earned summer hiatus—I will be teaching a writing class. As part of the course, each student will have a blog on which they will post bi-weekly essays. At that time, readers will be invited to view the writings of Kendra and her classmates as they embrace the magic of words.

And here, for your enjoyment, is Kendra’s essay.


The Power of Music

By Kendra M. Senecal

When it’s just you and the pavement, what keeps you going? Is it the goal of getting in shape? The day’s stress that you are finally ready to let go of? Or is it sheer routine that pushes you from street to street, giving you the adrenaline to finish what you started?

For me, only one thing does it, and that thing is music. Gimme a song with an energetic beat, and my feet will last as long as my batteries. Sure, it may just be the distraction of the lyrics flowing through my mind, or the rhythm I soon find myself falling into step with that keeps me from tiring. But I think it’s more than that. A beat in my ear can be like that friend who runs at your side, encouraging you, saying, “Come on, just one more lap!” and gets you so motivated that you hardly realize that the “last lap” is long gone, and yet, you’re still moving.

Music can do many things for me, one of those being the power to get me through a rocky experience. Just by listening to a song, my whole mood, or perception of something that has happened, can change. The power of music reminds me of a roller coaster, where at one point you can be upside-down, screaming, arms all over the place, but in the end you will always be right side up. Music does that for me, it’s the bend in the tracks that brings me back to where I should be, my shoulder to cry on. And whether I put on a love song to bring me to my senses in a relationship, or play my favorite cut to boost a good mood, it all depends; but the part that remains the same is that the right music will always pull the pieces back together.

To me, music can work miracles. It’s there whenever you need it… to get you through the hard times, as motivation to finish a project, or to provide energy when you’re running on low. Music can help you unwind after a long day, or wake you up and get you pumped in the morning. I’ve found that whatever the scenario may be, you can always find a song that fits.