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!

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.