Student Uses Writing as a Means of Escapism
Teenager Emily Vaca discovers her passion to overcome hardships
After a hard day of seventh grade, Emily Vaca ran up the stairs to her room and began bashing on her keyboard, mapping out the plot for her next short story.
“My writing and ability to create new stories helped me through many things, especially hardships in middle school,” says Vaca.
As an agnostic individual attending Catholic school, Vaca often felt judged and misunderstood, particularly for her pastimes. As an avid anime fan and lover of non-traditional music styles, it was difficult to find like-minded individuals who shared similar common interests.
The My Chemical Romance fan vividly remembers enduring taunting insults and harsh words from her fellow peers, even when she had never interacted with them.
“Middle school was the worst years of my life. I didn’t have any fun up until the last couple months of eighth grade,” said Vaca.
Vaca recalled a specific incident in which she was cyberbullied online via Snapchat in the seventh grade. A fellow classmate picked a fight with her for no reason and enjoyed belittling Vaca, making snide remarks over the course of a few months.
As the insults continued, tension between the two increased, causing Vaca’s mother to get involved. Eventually, the principal was forced to intervene. The school mandated that the bullies sit through an assembly tackling Internet Safety and Bullying led by a local police officer.
Despite the school’s involvement, the bullying persisted and worsened. This turning point was the catalyst of change and what encouraged Vaca to further explore her love for literature.
“I’m a writer,” Vaca answered when questioned about her passion for writing. “It’s what I’ve always loved to do.”
Writing is an outlet for Vaca, something she can focus her attention on and pour all of her emotions into.
The now 17-year-old has transferred to a new high school, Jose Martí Stem Academy in Union City, New Jersey, and met a new crowd of friends, many who share the same fiery passions as Vaca. The shared strive for excellence at her high school has allowed Vaca to bond more easily with her fellow peers.
Vaca is currently the Vice President of The National English Honors Society, President of the Mock Trial team, and works as a Receptionist at a local law firm.
“What other people think of me doesn’t affect me anymore,” Vaca said. “I’ve found a positive outlook on life and took control of what is truly mine.”
