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The University of the District of Columbia celebrated the release of “,” a new collection of essays, poems and photographs created by 15 seniors from Anacostia High School last Thursday.
The book highlights their reflections on Black environmental contributions and personal experiences with nature in the D.C. region.
Over six weeks in the summer of 2024, the students engaged in immersive experiences in parks, forests and waterways, documenting their observations and strengthening their storytelling skills. The environmental stewardship program integrated writing, reading and hands-on experiences, according to Xavier Brown, director of UDC鈥檚 Developing America鈥檚 Workforce Nucleus Academy.
The students went kayaking, climbed mountains, visited the Underground Railroad Museum and then wrote about it.
鈥淚t was a combination of environmental justice, experiential learning and writing. We had at least 15 field trips over six weeks. Then after every experience, we would write about it,”聽Brown told 草莓传媒.
At last Thursday’s launch reception, several of the students recalled a memorable day kayaking, which challenged them but also bonded the group.
鈥淭here were spiders everywhere,鈥� said student writer Kaishon. 鈥淣obody wanted to do it, but once we got through, it was fun.鈥�
Fellow senior Ra’lon was caught off guard.
鈥淚 never got wet either. Then I saw my friends flip overboard 鈥� it was funny, but frustrating. The 鈥� mosquitoes were a lot,” she said.聽
For Kaishon, being a published author is an important steppingstone.
鈥淚t feels good. I think it will actually help me in my future career. I want to go into journalism,鈥� he said.
Fellow student writer Ri鈥檆hard admitted he was hesitant at first, saying, 鈥淚 was nervous. 鈥� I didn鈥檛 feel like I could write a book. But I had good role models, and they helped me get through it.鈥�
For Anacostia senior Winter, the program鈥檚 impact extended beyond the outdoors.
鈥淚t was just a job to me at first. But now, it seems like it鈥檚 more important than that,鈥� she said.
She encourages future Anacostia seniors to join: 鈥淵ou鈥檒l see different things, do different things.鈥�
Director Brown emphasized that the program was designed to improve reading and writing skills, while also giving students a fun and enriching summer.
鈥淲e wanted to build a deeper connection to history, nature and themselves,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f they take away more confidence and higher self-esteem, that will be great.鈥�
Beyond developing their writing, the students practiced public speaking in preparation for the book’s release and for sharing their experiences in front of audiences. Brown noted their growth in confidence.
鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 think they needed to practice their speeches, but I told them, 鈥楾here’s going to be 50, 100 eyeballs looking at you.鈥� 鈥� So just seeing them speak, share their stories, encourage each other 鈥� it was a fun experience to be a part of. I’m proud of all of them.”
The project 鈥� which was a collaboration between UDC, D.C. Public Schools, Conservation Nation, editor and Nature-Wise founder Caroline Brewer, and the U.S. Department of the Interior 鈥� received additional support from the and .
鈥淭his project is an incredible example of how education can empower young people to become stewards of their communities and voices for change,鈥� UDC President Maurice Edington said in a statement.
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