On April 10, the Visions In Education writing community gathered to celebrate the Find Your Voice Book Release held adjacent to 916 Ink’s Imaginarium writing studio. The event introduced three published collections of student writings: This About Sums It Up, Rainy Day Diary, & Creative Chaos.

This year’s event marked an achievement for 916 Ink: the publication of its eight thousandth author since the organization was founded. Visions In Education has been proud to contribute to that growing number every year since the two organizations launched their partnership in 2011. 

Family, friends, and staff were treated to live readings from our student authors and words from our teachers who led the program. The event’s strong turnout made it necessary to open an additional space within the venue to comfortably accommodate guests and provide the best viewing experience for a student-created video showcasing the program.

Brave Voices, Big Moments

The highlight of the evening was a series of live readings from student authors, who stepped before a crowd of supporters to share their work aloud. Teachers who guided the program throughout the year also offered heartfelt remarks.

“I am so incredibly proud of and inspired by our middle and high school writers, now published authors,” said Crystal Linnet, Middle School Find Your Voice Coordinator and Visions teacher. “So many of our brave student authors got up in front of the audience to read their pieces aloud, to much applause!”

The readings drew genuine emotion from the room. “They moved us and made us laugh,” Linnet said. Quoting Find Your Voice ambassador Hilary Brugger, she added: “They’re poking me in my heart!” Linnet spoke to one piece that particularly resonated: “Before and After,” written by middle schooler Jarissa Boykin.

Students who preferred not to read aloud had the option to have their work shared by a peer or teacher, ensuring every author’s voice was heard in some form.

About Find Your Voice

The Find Your Voice Writing Class is a free, semester-long program that meets once a week virtually. Open to middle and high school students, the program uses creative writing as a tool for self-discovery, confidence-building, and storytelling — no prior writing experience required.

Students are encouraged to write about topics that genuinely interest them, in a collaborative environment designed to help them discover their potential. Those who have completed a previous Find Your Voice semester may also apply to serve as peer mentors, further developing their skills through teaching and supporting newer writers.

Check out the video below to learn more about the program from past participants!