Students at Bridge to Success Academy have just set a new bar for creative expression with the launch of their very own literary magazine. Dubbed 'The Falcons,' this student-produced publication is one formed through the crucible of personal struggles, a testament to the students' tenacity on their path to academic recovery. In an alternative school setting, the inaugural issue of The Falcons carves out a space for students to document their journeys and share tales of triumph with one another.
Having faced their share of challenges in traditional academic environments, the students at Bridge to Success channel their experiences into narrative gold. Jade Brown, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, reveals her intentions in a statement obtained by Duval County Public Schools, "Writing made me feel like I could share my story with other students who may have struggles. This (magazine) can change people's lives." The project, born in a new Creative Writing class helmed by educator Maribel Brucal, offers the students a platform to flourish in new and meaningful ways, proving themselves every bit as capable as those in more conventional educational spaces.
Brucal, the force behind the project, views her students through a lens devoid of bias. "I don't see them as different from other kids from other schools. I just treat them as they are," Brucal emphasized in an interview with Duval County Public Schools. Her philosophy underpins the nurturing environment that has allowed these stories to emerge from young minds once thought to be disengaged. The first issue of The Falcons provides more than personal anecdotes; it supplies a guidebook for navigating the often-tumultuous waters of high school life.
Managing Editor Jariyah Smith is seizing the opportunity to hone the craft of writing. By telling a publication from Duval County Public Schools, "I want to go to college and major in English or Journalism. I feel like this is a good opportunity to practice," Smith acknowledges the dual purpose of The Falcons—not only does it liberate self-expression among its writers, but it also primes them for the rigors of higher education. It's a legacy forged in Bridge to Success Academy's unique crucible, one that Jade Brown proudly proclaims will redefine the narrative surrounding alternative schools. "Doing this magazine," Brown avers, "really showcases that the school is actually a great place."
