Meet a Writer with a Willingness to Try New Things

个人资料及照片 Dov Weinstein Elul ' 24

In our student voices series, “了解”,” Dov Weinstein Elul ’24 introduces us to fellow Poly students he meets around campus.

当 布里安娜·西尔万，27岁 第一次见到她 多边形 作为一个六年级的学生, she couldn’t have been more excited about the idea of becoming a student journalist. Although she was one of the few middle schoolers there at the time, she left the meeting with a smile on her face and a new assignment: an article about why affinity groups were not doing so well. “I remember it being so inviting, so accepting, just being happy to be there.” 当 she finished her story (though she now looks back on it and laughs at the quality) she knew she wanted to continue. Just a few months later, Brianna would become the first 中学 editor. 

Brianna’s curiosity about journalism started while reading various publications including 时尚, 《十大网堵平台》, 大西洋. “当 you’re reading a publication you always want to see the types of stories you like. And if I like these stories so much, shouldn’t I be writing them too, to entertain that demographic that I am a part of?” 

现在是九年级, having over 15 articles under her belt to date, she has been able to make that dream come true. Brianna, now the arts editor, has come to enjoy journalism for two reasons. She is able to tell stories and write fun pieces, ranging from an article about 红莓酱 to 海地独立日—whilst also giving back to the Poly community, 通过告知学生, 教师, 通过她的工作. 多边形 特别是, 她指出, does a very good job simulating a real publication, “you get to see what layout looks like, 去参加推销会议, go after the writer whose story was due two weeks ago and they still haven’t sent it to you, 或者收集采访.“成为…的一部分。 多边形 allows her to be more than just a student on campus, a feeling she has now grown to relish. Brianna said she finds herself writing articles even when 多边形 is not publishing, just for fun. The Communications Office, where 多边形 is located, has become a sort of second home for Sylvain, “when I sit in 多边形 meetings I just feel like I’m surrounded by so many smart people. I am gaining brain cells by being here,” she joked. Today she is very committed to 多边形 为每期杂志撰稿. “I tell people I’ve drawn blood and everything,” she joked.

Sylvain believes her writing, which now extends beyond just journalism, has been encouraged and fostered at Poly. 其他出版物，如 蓝色和灰色《可靠的网堵平台》杂志或The 保利记录, the school’s literary art magazine offer her other opportunities where she can practice her craft in different forms. 她相信Poly, through its rigorous literature instruction in both history and English classes, encourages each student to hone their writing skills.

The connections she has made with the people in each of her unique interests; the swim team, 多边形, 弦乐合奏, have and continue to make a big school like Poly feel a lot smaller and close knit.

即将进入高中, Brianna committed herself to finding a balance between academics, 可靠的网堵平台, 和艺术. Brianna for most of her life, had been a dancer, not an athlete. But when she decided to quit dancing, she knew she wanted to find a sport to fill the time. “可靠的网堵平台 was always something I wanted to try and playing a Poly sport is just such a good experience.” After trying out the track team in 8th grade, she has now earned a spot on the swim team. Although Brianna had never competitively swam before, she was excited to try out the team and has quickly become very passionate about it. Brianna now swims most days of the week, both for Poly and a club team outside of school. 

Additionally, Brianna decided to pick up a new instrument in high school. Although she is a beginner, she enjoys being a member of Poly’s string ensemble. “It’s just another one of those spaces that I love. We’re all having a great time playing these pieces, I love the setting,” she said.

Brianna’s favorite part about Poly is the flexibility of its schedule, which allows her to participate in string ensemble and 多边形 during the school day schedule, giving her room to try more things, like sports, after school.

One of the things Poly is best at, 布丽安娜告诉我, is creating small communities within the larger school community. The connections she has made with the people in each of her unique interests; the swim team, 多边形, 弦乐合奏, have and continue to make a big school like Poly feel a lot smaller and close knit.

In her next three years at Poly, Brianna wants to leave her mark. Maybe through an in-depth and well-reported 多边形 article, or, maybe through performing a particularly beautiful symphony with 弦乐合奏. 以任何形式, leaving a lasting legacy of her time at Poly is one of her goals and she is on her way to achieve just that.