Past Writer Angelica T. Nava's Experience at the Young Scholar in Writing Program and Where It Led Her

Blog post by Laura Gutierrez

Angelica Nava, a former alumnus from Young Scholars in Writing (YSW), and I held an interview by email discussing her experience at YSW and the ways it impacted her as a young student up to her time as a working adult. Our discussion includes her experiences with her YSW mentor, the opportunity it created as a co-researcher and her perspective on writing as an established Texas educator today. 

Nava didn’t always enjoy writing. She always found it challenging. When recalling back to fifth grade, she remembers the time when they chose her to be a part of a selective creative writing workshop that made her like writing. This could have been the beginning of her discovery by taking the path as a writer. Like many, Nava didn’t feel qualified for the title to call herself a writer, which is a similar experience for many freshmen entering college and experiencing new territories where they feel stress–it’s hard to accustom to lengthy writing when you have no background. Once Nava enrolled in a composition class, she finds herself enjoying each assigned reading and writing task in Dr. Moriah McCracken's classroom, who would later on in her education continue to be her mentor. As Nava navigates herself through the program, she was able to grab new skills that turned into an eye-opening experience: “Now, I recognize the value of drafting, revising, and editing. Writing is never truly finished; it can always evolve with time and effort.”

Despite not feeling prepared at the beginning of her research in YSW, Nava felt confident enough to accomplish it by having the support of mentorships from Dr. Moriah McCracken. She recalls the experience in a positive light: “The mentorship I received was invaluable and made my success possible.” She never thought that by being part of a program it would not only lead her to have confidence in her writing but also having someone to count on who is there at your side to lift you up as a student: “Without her incredible mentorship, I would have been completely lost, and I will always be thankful to her for seeing something that I was not capable of seeing myself.” Nava’s research paper, “Where Teachers and Students Meet: Exploring Perceptions in First-Year Composition”, discovered that teachers/professors perceive the best interest of the student when it comes to learning in writing with the right approach. This helped her understand that each student's background shapes their development as a writer making a significant change to her “outlook on writing, learning, and academia as a whole.” Later, as she wraps up her research, she finds herself as a co-researcher with Dr. Moriah McCracken and presented at the CWPA Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2012. “It was an incredible experience—one I never could have imagined as a first-year student.” 

After earning her Bachler's degree, she pursued her career as a Texas Educator teaching Reading and Language Arts. As Nava continued writing with her students, she also finds herself writing for fun aside from her work-related writing, as she says, “Journaling has remained a staple for me,” as she currently works as a Placement Coordinator for an online education company. Every day, Nava develops curriculum for her students with crafted writing prompts and guiding questions. At the center of her curriculum, she encourages deeper thinking for her students. I asked why she believes writing is important. Deep in thought, she answers, “I believe writing is one of the most valuable tools we have. It allows us to express ourselves freely and gives our ideas and voices a chance to flourish.” We discuss her favorite books One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Handmaid’s Tale, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and most recently, Women Who Run with the Wolves, how it  inspired her to write reflections as she read along. This time when I asked her again if she would call herself a writer, as now an established educator, Nava responds, “Yes, I believe I would. Even though I’m not currently writing research or publishing articles, I am still a writer.”

It's nostalgic to think back to a time when one is vulnerable and trying to find their way through life–in this case, their way through writing. Nava was able to reflect on her education where she remembered the joy of accomplishing something that she once thought challenging. With the nurture she felt through others and encouragement, it led her to thrive in an area that she felt was impossible. “I owe a big thank you to Dr. Moriah McCracken for mentoring me throughout the process and shaping who I am as a learner and person.” Nava advises that despite the overwhelming feeling of assignments, projects, or personal essays, it is important to take one step at a time. Despite the challenges one faces, the end result can be rewarding, as Nava specifies that drafting, editing, and revising is an essential tool to develop your voice. I asked her one last question, “If you could write anything right now, what would it be? And why? Would you publish?” Her response illuminates the human connection of why we choose to write, "I would love to write a memoir about my mother’s life. Her story deserves to be told and read by others. Who knows? Maybe one day, I will.” Regardless of her feeling uncertain in the beginning of her writing, voice, and perspective, with the right mentor, it convinced her to publish. As a first-generation college student, Nava suggests any young writer is more capable than what they realize, and that they should jump to any opportunity as it can open unique perspectives worth sharing. Nava concludes by saying, “Looking back, I now realize that anyone can be a writer—everyone has a voice, a perspective, and experiences worth sharing.”

 

Article Link:

NavaA. T. (2015). Where Teachers and Students Meet: Exploring Perceptions in First-Year Composition. Young Scholars in Writing, 9, 119-127. https://youngscholarsinwriting.org/index.php/ysiw/article/view/135

Laura Gutierrez is a student at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she majors in English with a minor in Theater. With a deep appreciation for the intricacies of the human mind and behavior, she explores how emotions shape individual experiences through her learning. Laura's literary tastes include poignant works such as Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, and the classic Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Her passion for storytelling extends to film; her favorite films include The Dreamers (Bernardo Bertolucci), A Room with a View (James Ivory), and The English Patient (Anthony Minghella). Laura believes that storytelling provides a unique lens to examine society, capturing its beauty and complexity. She values the art of narrative as a vital means for individuals to connect with diverse experiences and perspectives in life's journey.