By Kayci Guardado
Central Islip High School
Given a notebook by her family because they were often too tired to listen to her talk, 16-year-old Yennifer A. Soriano began her writing career for a silent audience.
“I liked to talk a lot when I was a little kid, so my family wasn’t here enough to hear me talk or was too tired to listen, so they gave me a notebook and I would write anything,” Yennifer recounted. “My family always saw me writing about food reviews, stories, anything.”
The art of putting words on paper gradually evolved into journalism. “When I finally entered school, I was in book programs, reading, anything literature-related.” This caught the eye of her Hempstead High School AP seminar teacher, Cara Franchino, who introduced her to the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute for High School Journalists.
Driven by a desire to test her passion in the real world, Yennifer applied to the program to “see journalism from sort of a professional form instead of the usual self-learnt form of journalism.” Ultimately, her main goal is to discover whether she wants to turn her lifelong love for storytelling into a professional career.
Yennifer’s friend of nine years, Zierrah Owens, said, “I think Yennifer deciding to pursue journalism is realistic. After knowing her for many years and being with her as we grew, I think her passions directly and indirectly point her in the direction of pursuing journalism, so this isn’t a surprise.”
Behind her relentless drive is her older brother, Jason, whom Yennifer credits as her greatest role model and a vital figure in shaping her storytelling journey. ”My mom wasn’t really around when I was little because she was busy working,” Yennifer explained. “So, the only person I really had was my older brother and he taught me a lot that I still use today.”
Jason deeply influenced Yennifer’s perspective and her desire to support others. “What I want people to remember me is how no matter what I was always there like how others were for me,” she said.
This dedication for showing up is demonstrated in her daily responsibilities. “I babysit two little kids. I have done it consistently for about a year.” She does it while being on the Principal’s List, participating in the art club and crafting media in the photography club.
Balancing her work ethic requires navigating a complex home life. “There are some days where it is great, some days where it is horrible and I want to leave. However, my family … will always be at the top of my list that I care about.”