Home > Case Study >

Emma's Passion Project

Emma's Passion Project

Arts & Humanities

Creative Writing

Start Date

September 2024

End Date

Ongoing

Sessions Completed

15 sessions

Assets

Gallery

Student & Mentor

Student

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Emma</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">NYC School</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Grade 11</div></div>

Personality
Interests
Mentor

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Claire Paul</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Stanford University</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Human Biology</div></div>

Personality

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Supportive</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Energetic</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Patient</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Organized</p></div></div>

Interests

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Human Biology</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Nutrition</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Mental Health</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Community Engagement</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Creative Writing</p></div></div>

What They Set Out To Do

Emma was a passionate 11th grader with a keen interest in food insecurity and health education. She sought a mentor who could help her channel her creativity into a meaningful project that would raise awareness and inspire others. Emma needed guidance in project development and a supportive figure to help her navigate her ideas and challenges effectively.

The Perfect Match

<div class="case-study-match-wrapper"><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Shared Passion for Health</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Claire's background in Human Biology and Emma's interest in food and health created a strong foundation for their collaboration.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Creative Storytelling Synergy</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Both Emma and Claire's love for storytelling allowed them to develop engaging content that resonates with their community.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Empathy and Understanding</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Claire's personal experiences with mental health fostered a supportive environment for Emma to explore her own challenges.</div></div></div>

Project Milestones

Project Vision Established
September 2024
Developed a clear vision for the food insecurity project, combining storytelling, health education, and community service through a website/blog platform. This foundational work included creating SMART goals and identifying key content areas.
Website Foundation Created
October 2024
Established the project's digital identity by naming it "Table Talk NYC" and building the initial website structure using Wix. Selected design elements, customized the homepage with NYC imagery, and began developing the site architecture.
First Blog Post Drafted
November 2024
Crafted the inaugural blog post about personal experiences with Backpack Buddies, establishing the authentic voice and perspective that will characterize the project. This milestone represents the transition from website development to content creation.
Interactive Resources Map Launched
November 2024
Integrated an interactive map feature into the website, enabling visitors to locate food banks and volunteer opportunities throughout NYC. This technical enhancement transformed the site from informational to actionable.
Thanksgiving-Themed Article Published
November 2024
Produced and published a seasonal article connecting Thanksgiving themes to food insecurity awareness. This timely content demonstrated the ability to leverage cultural moments to highlight project themes.
First Field Interview Conducted
January 2025
Completed an in-person interview with Rethink Food, gathering firsthand insights and photographic documentation of their operations. This milestone represents the expansion from desk research to field journalism.
Rethink Foods Article Published
January 2025
Transformed interview data into a polished article featuring quotes and photos from the Rethink Foods visit. This publication demonstrated the ability to craft compelling narratives from primary research.
Food Insecurity Statistics Added
February 2025
Enhanced the resource page with key statistics and created custom infographics about food insecurity in New York. This data visualization work added educational depth and credibility to the project.
Grassroots Grocery Profile Published
March 2025
Produced a comprehensive article about Grassroots Grocery based on an interview with its founder, highlighting their produce parties, student initiatives, and community fridge program. This piece expanded the project's coverage of innovative food security solutions.
Podcast Platform Launched
April 2025
Extended the project's media reach by establishing a Table Talks podcast on Spotify, complete with custom branding that aligns with the website aesthetic. This milestone represents the expansion into audio storytelling.
Opinion Article on Food Dignity Published
May 2025
Authored a nuanced opinion piece exploring the tension between food dignity and food waste reduction. This thought leadership article incorporated personal volunteer experiences and interview insights to address complex ethical questions in food security work.

Skills Developed

  • Creative Writing
  • Project Management
  • Research Skills
  • Public Speaking
  • Website Development

Challenged Overcomed

  • Navigating food insecurity topics
  • Balancing school and project work
  • Building confidence in public speaking
  • Establishing a consistent writing routine

What’s Next

Now, Emma has successfully launched her project, 'Nourishing Stories', and is actively engaging her community through storytelling and health education. She aims to expand her platform, develop more content, and collaborate with local organizations to further address food insecurity issues. Emma is excited to continue her journey and make a lasting impact through her work.

More Case Studies

Creative Writing

7th Grader Writes 100+ Page Fantasy Novel | Mila's Journey

Discover how 7th grader Mila transformed her 53-page draft into a 100+ page fantasy novel with Yale mentor Abigail, mastering advanced writing techniques and world-building.

Learn More

Business / Entrepreneurship

From Hobby to $3,000 Jewelry Business | Rose's Success Story

Read Rose's inspiring journey from 9th grade jewelry hobbyist to successful entrepreneur, building IYK Jewels with mentor Phoebe from Brown University.

Learn More

Robotics / Electronics / CAD

6th Grader Builds Mini Arcade with Duke Engineering Mentor

Discover how 6th grader Rylan built a functional arcade machine with Duke University mentor Daniel, mastering electronics, programming, and circuit fundamentals.

Learn More

View All