It was freshman Tempest Malone’s first time reading her stories in front of an audience. She was at the Writer’s Place in Kansas City two years ago. Standing in front of the crowd she read her poem ‘Coffee Cups’ and the short story she had written about a trip she took to New Orleans. The soft spoken 12-year-old girl was nervous, dreading the moment when they would call her name.

“I had never shared my work with people,” Malone said. “And I didn’t know what they would think of it.”

Her anticipation was building. But the endless minutes were finally over and her name was called. Becoming louder and more confident as she read, Malone loved it and the crowd did too, rewarding her with their applause.

“It really felt good,” Malone said. ”It made me feel proud of myself and like I accomplished something big.”

Malone used that inspiration to continue her writing.

Malone uses her writing as a way to express herself and speak what’s on her mind. When Malone writes, she never has a certain topic that she tries to write about, but she just lets the words flow out of her as she writes what comes to mind. As a current S.E.E.D. club member, Malone tends to write about diversity and other cultural aspects of our world today.

“She writes poetry emphasizing the black experience for girls and women,” Tempest’s mother, Jennifer Malone said.

Especially in one of Malone’s poems titled “Black Girl,” she writes about the problems that some black girls face.

“The theme of “Black Girl” is that sometimes black girls are seen as less. Less beautiful. Like they can’t be that smart. It’s just supposed to uplift black girls,” Malone said.

Malone has had a passion for writing since she could read. She has worked hard to improve her writing skills and still does today as she continues to work in out-of-school programs and as a Sion student. Malone hopes to read more of her writing in the future to show what she is now capable of.