Milan Womack is from Southeast DC. He wrote The Ballou I Know because he wanted people to read his side of the story about Ballou. In the future, he wants to be able to come back and see how the book affected young people’s lives. He enjoys seeing positivity in his city. His hobbies are football and gaming. He wants people to know that he comes from the struggle.

Raven Brown is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to tell her story about Ballou. In the future, she wants to give advice to the young Ballou students. She enjoys music, and her hobbies are cheerleading, shopping, dancing, and listening to music. She wants people to know that she’s chill.

Shae’Lynn Ames is from Southeast DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to express her views and be heard. In the future she wants to be a physical therapist. She enjoys listening to music and helping others. Her hobbies are dancing and writing. She really wants people to know that she is a straight-A student. Also, she has ten siblings!

Christopher Holbrook is from Southeast Washington, DC. He wrote his poem for The Ballou I Know because he wanted the youth, including whoever may read it, to understand that they’re never alone. He enjoys playing football and running track because it shows some of his unique abilities. His hobbies are studying, singing, and playing sports. He wants people to know that he was one of those people witnessing gunshots and bullets flying, he knows what it’s like to be in a falling household, but that doesn’t define him. He lives with a purpose. Langston Hughes once said “To be black is to be a constant state of rage.” Don’t ever let that point be proven, use that rage as motivation to make beneficial changes and live your best life.

Amya McKoy is from Southeast DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she saw articles that didn’t represent her school and she wanted to tell some truths. She is in the Ballou band and likes to read and write. In the future, she wants to be an author.

Davia Cain is from Southeast Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to let people know that everybody goes through stuff and you’re not alone. In the future she wants to attend college playing varsity volleyball. Her hobbies are playing sports: basketball, volleyball, softball, and flag-football. She wants people to know that she loves playing sports and learning and experiencing new things.

Darmeisha Moore is from Washington, DC. She likes to sleep, cook, work, and hang out with her friends. She wants to run her own business or be a social worker so that she can help other people out. She wanted to be a part of The Ballou I Know so she could tell people about Ballou and where they come from. She hopes that readers will get a better sense of the students at Ballou and see that they’re not all bad. They are more than what people make them out to be.

Tremayne Gross is from Washington, DC. He wrote The Ballou I Know to show how he’s changed over the years. In the future, he wants to be a business owner. And he plans on going to a four year college. He enjoys listening to music, and his hobbies are sports, gaming systems, and going out. He wants people to know that he’s an outgoing, nice, and determined person. He’s always chilling.

Cashae Faison is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to inform people that Ballou isn’t a bad school, and they shouldn’t make assumptions. In the future, she wants to become an entrepreneur and own a clothing store. She enjoys singing, going out with her friends, and spending time with her family. She really wants people to know that she is not just a statistic. She’ll be more.

Shawma Brown is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to express her feelings about Ballou. In the future she wants to become a freelance journalist. She enjoys traveling and writing poetry and short stories. She wants people to know that she works to make a difference in the world.

Tyrese Linder is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to work in the fire department. He enjoys playing instruments, reading, and games. He enjoys anything honestly if it’s fun. His hobbies are music, chilling with books, movies, or TV shows. He wants people to dig deeper.

Trevaughn Boomer is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to be a successful forensic scientist. He enjoys hanging with his friends, playing sports, and playing games. His hobbies are playing football, going out with friends, and eating. He wants people to know that he’s a quiet and hardworking person who loves his family.

Syamyia Beach is from Southeast DC. She wrote her poem for The Ballou We Know because she wanted to show the people of the DMV area that DC students can overcome the obstacles that they face and the daggers that are thrown at them. In the future, she wants to become an interior designer. Her hobbies are drawing and designing. She wants people to know that she is a girl from Southeast who sees the light in every situation and takes that inspiration and runs with it.

Tatiana Robinson is from Southeast, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to express to younger kids that if you continue to push, hard work will pay off. In the future she wants to become a computer scientist. She enjoys anything that has to do with S.T.E.M., especially coding. Her hobbies are playing golf and basketball and spending time with her family. She wants people to know that she is strong, independent, inquisitive, and eager to achieve her best. She is passionate about learning and excited to attend college.

Andrenae Brown was a senior at Ballou in Washington, DC when she wrote The Ballou We Know. She likes to write, cook, and plan events. She wants to be an entrepreneur and possibly open up her own restaurant. She’d also like to start a mentoring organization that mentors up-and-coming chefs. She wanted to be a part of The Ballou We Know to get her opinion out about all the changes happening at Ballou. She wants readers to see the different personalities of the students at Ballou and not to focus on the stereotypical things that people here. Being a part of this book helped her learn to open up more and to let people hear her point of view. It allows people to get to know more about her as a person.

Me’Chelle Jones wrote The Ballou We Know to show that Ballou students are powerful and bright enough to determine their own future. In the future she wants to be a counselor to give back to kids like Ballou students. She enjoys helping people and expressing herself. Her hobby is cheering. She wants people to know that she is strong, determines, and loves herself.

Jada Byrd is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to further explain the real Ballou. In the future she wants to become a successful criminal lawyer. She enjoys social media, writing music, and singing. She wants people to know that she is just a young black girl learning her way. Before you judge someone or something, check the reality of your life and the lives around you.

Gabriel Clark is from Maryland. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted to share what it’s like for the students at Ballou. In the future, he wants to give back to the youth. His hobbies are working out and writing. He wants people to see his ambition.

Shaheed Salim is from Washington, DC. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted everyone to hear their point of view of what Ballou is like. In the future, he wants to go to a four year university and play college football and major in math. He enjoys playing video games and football and reading. He wants people to know that he’s hard working and outgoing.

Aniyah Lester is from Maryland, but she grew up in Southeast. She wrote The Ballou We Know because she wanted to share her true story her own way. In the future she wants to own her own clothing business and become a motivational speaker. She enjoys working and learning new things. Her hobbies are shopping and giving advice. She wants people to know that she’s a go-getter and doesn’t stop.