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Challenges to Identity
Challenges to Identity
Santiago Romero
High school students are currently authors in their down time. As a teenager, it is important to explore important aspects of writing-like themes and what inspires young authors to become involved with writing. One high school Senior at Flagstaff High School, Ciera, offers her opinions on her writing which explores themes of Self-discovery, overcoming challenges, and growth. She hopes her accessibility to people’s minds through reading allows for them to highlight their identity—similar to the legacy she shares as a Native American.
When writing her book, she became inspired by her culture to represent the Native American student body at Flagstaff High School. She says, “in a way, it reminds our students that we aren’t just a part of history, but that we are currently shaping our future.” She hopes that by writing about Native American identity, future generations will be inspired to write stories of who they are as Native people.
In many of her writings, identity and resilience are common themes. They allow students to connect to their past and open up a way for others to explore their own interests as well. As a Native American student, she hopes to guide others in exploring themselves through their identity in high school. For the future, she would like to continue writing as she explores a path in medicine. She aspires to help the Navajo Nation as a specialized physician providing medicine and allowing voices to be heard through stories.
As she grows into an adult, her primary focus is her community and her leadership role as a support for it. The book exploring identity is still in progress, but as more time goes on with more research and experience, she will adapt it into a website. This will allow for her community and others to tell stories like hers.