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| Author Malin Alegria captivates students at the Morton Freshman Center |
Arriving adorned in a full-length formal gown and tiara - the perfect attire for a dramatic reading of her popular young adult novel, Estrella's Quinceañera - author Malin Alegria recently spent the day at the Morton Freshman Center. The students were captivated with Ms. Alegria, who refers to herself as a "border girl with big dreams."
As a teen, Ms. Alegria refused to have a quinceañera – the traditional ceremony in many Spanish countries marking a young woman's 15th birthday. After writing Estrella's Quinceañera, however, she came to understand and appreciate the quinceañera as an important rite of passage. Ms. Alegria feels that the true value of the quinceañera is not in the party favors or the fancy dresses; it that moment when a young girl recognizes and acknowledges the gratitude she has for her family and community for nurturing her growth.
During a question and answer session, one student asked, "Were you a good writer when you were in school?" Alegria was honest in her reply, sharing with students that she struggled in school and misspelled most of the words on her spelling tests. She stressed, though, that writing is simply an act of patience and perseverance, with "tons of editing and re-writing." She reminded students that it is easiest to write about "what you know best," and said that while her books are works of fiction, the characters are based on her family members and friends.
Alegria offered the students of the Morton Freshman Center some very important advice. She encouraged each student to have a dream, work hard, stay in school, and get a college diploma. "No one can ever take that diploma away from you – it is yours to keep forever," she insisted.
The MFC Library purchased fifty copies of Estrella's Quinceañera in advance to give students the opportunity to read the book before she arrived. A raffle was held during each presentation and fifty students were lucky enough to win an autographed copy of Ms. Alegria's book.
After changing out of her formal attire, Ms. Alegria visited with students in the cafeteria during lunch periods, reminding them once again to dream big.
This visit with Malin Alegria was a cooperative effort between the Morton Freshman Center and Lyons Township High School, with the school librarians working together to schedule presentations and share expenses.
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(left to right) David Correa, Alexis Lopez, Malin Alegria, Johnathan Gautie |
(left to right) Malinda Olvera, Maria Garcia, Malin Alegria, Vickie Flores, Dayana Diaz, Ilse Tapia, Saphire Baldwin
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Malin Alegria |
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