Meet the Young Authors
Our teacher said we can do great things, so we are.
Click a Young Author’s name to jump to their bio!
Olivia DeSantis
Anais Duran
Angel Duran
Taryn Johnson
Kenshin Lee
Kenneth Loder
Michaella Ruiz
Brooklynn Satterfield
Jump to Our Story
“My name is Olivia De Santis and I go to Cabarrus Health Science Institute. When I got asked to join the Young Authors Project, I was ecstatic because not only was this a great opportunity, but since I could remember I had a passion for writing. This project means a lot because this is an avenue for those who often are hidden in the shadows. I hope that those who often don’t give a second thought to what may be going on behind the scenes, start to actually stop and think.” Back to top
“My name is Anais and I go to Early College High School in Kannapolis. I joined this group because I’ve loved reading since I was little, and books give me a magical sort of feeling, like I’ve left this world and entered another. I write a lot of random ideas I have into stories (that I usually struggle to figure out how to end) so having a team to help me write was a very exciting prospect. The team of people that we have are amazing, and that team also includes my best friend, so everything really added up into a situation that was pretty much impossible to say no to. ” Back to top
“My name is Angel and I’m attending Early College High School. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t think that I would be making any contribution to the project. I was just there because my sister was there and it would be convenient for us both to be in the same place. When my mom told me to actually help out with the book, I realized how beneficial it was for me. This is exciting because it’s the first novel any of us have ever done. I have always wanted to write a book (even if my vision wasn’t a fiction book) and this project helped me learn the process. ”
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“My name is Taryn and I am from Mount Pleasant High School. I joined this team because I enjoy reading. Having the chance to help write a book about things that are real world problems and that can even change people’s lives is quite an amazing opportunity. “ I’m excited about this project because I get to spend time and have fun with amazing people! ” Back to top
“My name is Kenshin Lee and I am currently attending Mount Pleasant High School. I joined because I had a passion for reading and I was asked to join because I loved reading. “It was something different and I had never written before and it was something new and at first I was hesitant about joining, but a couple friends who were attending the meets as well persuaded me into joining.” Back to top
“My name is Kenneth, and I’m a student at [Mount Pleasant High School]. I joined this ragtag group of young authors because I had been invited and I thought it would be a fun project to tell a story that others don’t see. I was excited writing this book because it was a reason to help others realize they are not alone and help them to speak out about their problems. I hope the readers will find a will to live and share their experiences to have a more tight and understanding community that have personally dealt with these problems and for those who don’t understand to try and gain some insight and if not just have a book to read and enjoy.” Back to top
“My name is Michaella Ruiz and I attend Cabarrus Kannapolis Early College. I joined the Young Authors Project mainly because I love writing, but also because I felt that this story could shed light on so many important things that are often swept under the rug because it’s uncomfortable to talk about. I’m excited about this project because it’s an amazing opportunity for everyone who joined to get their work out to the general public while also educating our audience about abuse and mental illness.” Back to top
“My name is Brooklynn and I am attending Mount Pleasant High School. I joined because I have a love for reading but mostly I wanted to raise awareness of the subjects in this book. I have a big passion for writing a lot. I hope we are able to write more books in the near future.” Back to top
Our Story
The Young Author Project was created in 2023 by a group of 8 superstar students and 1 busy teacher.
Angel Duran, Kenneth Loder, Taryn Johnson, Michaella Ruiz, Anais Duran, Olivia DeSantis, Kenshin Lee, and Brooklynn Satterfield.
Front: Natalie Wilkinson, the busy teacher.
In their own ways, each one demonstrated outstanding work ethic and talent while in class in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening – so much so that one day I thought it’d be a great idea for them to write and publish an original novel.
They all loved the prospect, so I picked up the phone and called everyone’s home to pitch the idea of their child becoming a published author before graduating high school. Their parents, all of whom I have come to know and cherish, were extremely excited and supportive of the idea.
What started uncertainly as a “book club” soon became much more than I ever could have anticipated. This book has become an act of service and of love, not just from me to the authors, but from us as a team to our future readers and our community. We met almost every single Saturday without fail at the public library for a year and three months to write, discuss, and collaborate beginning in the Summer of 2023.
We got the chance to interview two real-world experts, one from the Department of Social Services and the other from the Department of Juvenile Justice to get their input. We wanted to ensure we wrote from a place of both authenticity and compassion.
During that Summer, we also worked very hard to fundraise so we could pay for editing services, ISBN numbers, and all the other costs of self-publishing a novel. We met all our goals.
The fruits of their labor: Young Authors at their very first book signing in Mount Pleasant Public Library, August 2024.
Michaella Ruiz.
(Authors not pictured: Brooklynn Satterfield and Natalie Wilkinson)
Moment of triumph: Click here to watch the Young Authors present The Art of Giving A Crap to every single teacher and principal in Cabarrus County Schools in Concord, NC just days after the book launched in August 2024. The incomparable Marnie Stoker, Drama teacher from Mount Pleasant Middle, guided their presentation beautifully.
School Boost Online 