On Monday September 22 the HS223 auditorium buzzed with excitement as the entire high school filed in for a special guest.
Patricia Park, author of the novel Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim, came to speak about the book and her writing process. The book was chosen by HS223 English teachers as the school’s 2nd Annual Community Read: a single book that the entire school reads during the summer. The school’s partnership with Meet the Writers, a non-profit that focuses on bringing authors and students together, helped to bring Park to the school.
Michele Weisman, founder of Meet the Writers, believes in the power of her non-profit’s mission. “(Meet the Writers) started with one school in the Bronx, one school, one author, now we have reached 55000 students, 15 schools a year, and worked with 40 authors,” said Weisman. ”I wrote to (Principal Mr. Lincoln) when I was starting and offered an author visit program. They said ‘YES’ in three minutes. It’s simple but powerful”.
Park came to HS223 to share her story and views. and students were eager not just to hear about her book and how she wrote it but to connect with the person behind the pages.
“I connected the book because sometimes I get stressed out a lot and get under pressure, but I learn how to manage it.” said Javier Galindo (class of 2028). “I also learned what Imposter Syndrome was and the feeling of not belonging”.
Much of Park’s speech focused on her own life as a student in New York’s public schools. Park admitted that she had felt like an outsider throughout her life.
“I felt like an imposter my whole life, Korean, American, Students. No one should have to live like that” said Park. “It’s a good sign when you start to question things, because it means you want to keep getting better”.
Afterward, Patricia Park stopped by two classrooms for smaller group talks, where students asked questions, signed books and got a chance to talk with her, and express their views about the book and how they interpret it and make connections with her.
“ I did enjoy the book,” said Freddie Rosario (Class of 2026). “There were twists and turns and I didn’t expect them”!
There is hope that the partnership with Meet the Writers will continue.
“We are hoping that the culture grows,” said Ms. Haines HS223’s literacy and career connected learning coach. “This is our second year doing an author visit, but we are hoping that overtime students will get more interested in reading the book and meeting authors” .
Ms. Haines also sees this as a good stepping stone for college and beyond.
“There are a lot of colleges and private schools where the students read the same book and have the author visit. Not a lot of public schools have that opportunity.” Ms. Haines added.
Park ended her visit by reminding students that even if things are great now, they can get better.
“You will find your people eventually,” Park said. “You are not alone in this search.”
