September 11, 2015
826 Boston is proud to present the inaugural Thomas Brock Johnson Award to Stevie Desire, a senior at the John D. O’Bryant High School. Named in honor of Executive Director Daniel Johnson’s late father, a devoted parent, caregiver, and generous supporter of 826 Boston, this award is presented to Stevie for demonstrating the exceptional qualities of character, loyalty, and work ethic.
“I love 826 Boston, and I’m honored to receive this award,” remarked Stevie, wiping away tears when she learned of the honor. From serving as a teen tutor to a member of 826 Boston’s poetry slam team, Stevie has thrown herself into 826 Boston’s programming and is a frequent visitor to the Writers’ Room housed within her school. Slam poetry has particularly sparked a newfound love of writing. “It’s basically a way to express yourself,” Stevie said of her experience as a slam poet. “There’s no right or wrong way to do it – you just get to be yourself. Whatever is going on in my life, I can express it through slam poetry.” Last year, Stevie’s team made it to the semi-finals of Boston’s Louder Than A Bomb, a state-wide slam poetry competition.
Most recently, Stevie could be seen on stage at the Strand Theatre playing the role of a gryphon in “Animocracy,” a series of original short plays about animals taking over the world. All summer she served as a coach, role model, and mentor to our young performers during WORDPlay, a collaboration between 826 Boston and the A.R.T. Congratulations, Stevie, on all you’ve accomplished and thanks for inspiring us all!
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