The Extended Day Girls (Alanah S. Hurse, Alicia Grimes, Allandra Washington, Amanda Sevilla, Amanda D. Soto, Elaine Rodriguez, Jahatu Walker, Samara Serrano, Shaianne Drayton, and Tyla S. Leach) are members of Class 5-310 at P.S. 171, located in the East Harlem Section of Manhattan. The Girls, their 5th Grade Teacher, Stacey Shubitz, and former Student Teacher, Christina L. Rodriguez, hail from all parts of the New York Metropolitan Area.

 

 

Shaianne Drayton
Shaianne Natae Drayton lives with her mom and dad in Manhattan. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Shaianne’s writing has been inspired by herself. Her favorite piece in the book is the “Where I’m From” poem, which is about where all the writers come from. She likes it because it inspires everyone, including herself. Her hobbies include ice-skating, sleeping, and watching television.

Alicia Grimes
Alicia N. Grimes is from New York and lives with her mother, step dad, and stepsister. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Kids who have to deal with problems inspired Alicia´s writing. Her favorite piece in the book is "Letter to an Old Friend," which is about a girl who used to be Alicia´s friend, but turned her back on her for someone else. She likes it because it explains what that person did and why it hurt so badly. Her hobbies include singing and dancing.

Alanah S. Hurse
Alanah S. Hurse is from Queens, New York and lives with her mom, step dad, and sister, Laila. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Her sister and mom have mostly inspired Alanah´s writing. Her hobbies include watching television and being on the computer, constantly.

Tyla S. Leach
Tyla S. Leach is from Bronx, New York and lives with her mom. She was born in 1996 and is 10 years old. Tyla’s writing has been inspired by everyone. Tyla’s hobbies include singing and riding on her Heelys. Her favorite piece in the book is “Letter to an Ex-friend,” which is about a friend that isn’t loyal and is untrustworthy. She likes it because it came from the heart.

Elaine Rodriguez
Elaine Brooke Rodriguez is from Bronx, New York, where she lives with her mom, sister, and brother. Elaine was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Her writing has been inspired by Ms. Shubitz. Her hobbies include reading and writing.

Samara Serrano
Samara Denise Serrano is from the Bronx, New York where she lives with her mom, dad, and sister. She was born in 1996 and is 10 years old. Samara’s writing has been inspired by her everyday life and how she lives. Her hobbies include writing, reading and talking with friends.

Amanda Sevilla
Amanda Sevilla is from the Bronx where she lives with her mom, step dad and siblings. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Amanda’s writing has been inspired by her mother. Her hobbies include skateboarding and writing.

Amanda D. Soto
Amanda D. Soto is from Manhattan where she lives with her brother and mom. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Amanda’s writing has been inspired by Adam Soto. Her favorite piece in the book is her “Where I’m From” Poem, which is about things she does, places she has come from, and what her family is like. She likes is because it expresses her life. Her hobbies include rock collecting and writing.

Jahatu Walker
Jahatu T. Walker is from the Bronx where she lives with her mom, dad, two brothers, and two sisters. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Jahatu’s writing has been inspired by herself and her life. Her favorite piece in the book is “Friends,” which is about how she faces having friends. It also describes how others face being alone. Then, it gives advice. She likes it because of how it tells her life experience. Jahatu’s hobbies include writing and ice-skating.

Allandra Washington
Allandra Jewell Washington is from Manhattan where she lives with her mom, dad, two sisters, and brother. She was born in 1996 and is 11 years old. Kay Allenbaugh has inspired Allandra’s writing. Her favorite essay in the book is “Sisterhood is Hard,” which is about her and her sister, how they argue, and how they seem to deal with it. She likes it because she knows that some people can relate. Her hobbies include bugging her sisters, dancing, and singing.