Most high schoolers can’t say they write for a “real” newspaper, but that’s exactly what S-GI freshman Alissa Roy does. Alissa is a correspondent for the Buffalo News’ magazine for young people called NeXt.
Alissa began writing for NeXt after she saw an article in the magazine asking for young writers to apply. She had to write an essay and a practice article and less than two months later was accepted by the magazine.
She says that getting her application ready for the paper was a lot of work, but in the end it was worth it.
Alissa says she’s always loved writing stories. “Little scribbles are on notes all underneath my bed from when I was about eight, when I decided I would be an author.”
Always an avid reader, Alissa credits her parents for her interest in writing. “My parents are the main reasons why I write,” she says. “They are always pushing for me to read and pursue my dreams. My mom is a librarian, so she is constantly keeping my thirst for books quenched.”
Alissa says she is inspired most by the works of J.K. Rowling. “I love the magic, laughs and danger,” she says. “I just worship Rowling for having created such perfect novels.”
She also enjoys both the works and the life of Louisa May Alcott. “I find her a terrific author, plus a very intriguing character,” she says.
Alissa recently wrote a movie review of “Amelia,” the story of Amelia Earhart, which appeared in the October 29 issue of NeXt. A story about the Hawk Creek Wildlife Center was published in the November issue.
The budding author’s work was also published online at buffalonews.com/lifearts/next.