In a world where curricula and numbers compete, a nonprofit organization called 826 National emerged to prove that the written word still has the power to transform students' lives. Through creative writing rooms in schools, the organization has empowered thousands of students, especially in low-income environments, to express themselves and share their ideas in real books and magazines.

In the city of Boston, high school students took this opportunity to the next level, choosing the theme of "food" as a literary focus that goes beyond recipes and kitchens, touching on identity, memory, and belonging. Through the Rubix magazine published by the students of John D. O’Bryant School, the texts burst with nostalgia, honesty, and boldness, creating a shared cultural table that redefines what writing means to the new generation.

This story is not just about food but about education when it becomes a living human experience, driven by the desire to understand and the wish to be heard.

Last year, students participating in the writing programs offered by the nonprofit 826 in Boston public schools were thinking about food. For some, the work focused on chemistry and mathematics while writing recipes and cooking, as a way to enhance learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). However, in the 826 writing room at John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, high school students publishing the literary magazine "Rubix" unleashed their writing about food. The result was: A special food issue of Rubix magazine, featuring a diverse table of poetry, short stories, essays, drawings, paintings, interviews, and personal memoirs. I wanted to meet the young writers who wrote and edited this wonderful work. Who are they? How do they think? And where are they heading?

826 offers programs inside schools, after school, and outside of school—all completely free.

826 is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting writing and reading skills among public school students aged 6 to 18 across the country. Its mission is: "To encourage exploration of limitless possibilities through the power of writing."

Founded in 2002 by renowned author Dave Eggers, known for his books A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and What is the What, in tribute to his teacher mother and his personal experiences in public schools in San Francisco. The organization has expanded significantly, establishing writing rooms in urban areas like Oakland, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Ann Arbor/Detroit, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and New York. The 826 Boston branch was established in 2007.

Currently, over 4,500 students from Boston public schools are participating in one of 826 Boston's programs. There are permanent "writing rooms" within six schools, and over 150 teachers and 700 volunteers—many of whom are professional writers, artists, and editors—contribute their time and effort to work one-on-one with students. The result: a published book, entirely filled with student writings. Imagine the joy of a child when their written idea transforms into a professionally designed book, with a beautiful cover and their name printed on it.

"Because high school is like a puzzle, and in the end, it unravels."

O’Bryant School was the first school to include an indoor writing room among 826 Boston's programs. I was invited to visit the school to meet the editorial staff of the Rubix magazine, a student-led literary magazine published twice a year. Why the name "Rubix"? Like the cube? Answers Marvin Valenzuela, an 11th grader, 17 years old:

I was hoping the students would talk about their writing experiences. But as any adult remembers, talking to an adult in front of your peers isn't a favorite among high school students. I quietly sat listening to their conversations before I started my questions. The first thing I heard was:

"I am afraid of cooking," shyly admits Alicia Mart, 16, from Charlestown, with Dominican ancestry.

"Why? Cooking is fine if you know how to use the oven!" confidently responds Alyssa Mascarinhas, 14, of Cape Verdean descent.

"The smoke... the oil... especially the oil. I always fear burning the house down," continues Alicia.

"Just don’t put water in the hot pan, please!" Alyssa responds, shaking her head. "Anyone can cook. If you can’t cook, it means you can’t take care of yourself."

Then they return to their main task, gathering around the table in the warm and cozy writing room, editing the spring issue of Rubix magazine.

"Every issue seems like a mess... until it doesn’t. Then its beauty forms."

Previous issues included themes like "the future" or "education," which are open-ended topics inviting creativity. Heather says:

Rubix magazine is the most student-driven among 826 Boston’s publications. The students choose everything.

Heather Nelson oversees the writing room at O’Bryant School. The room, which was an old classroom, has been transformed into a vibrant space, complete with a small library and comfy old couches. Hearts are directed towards the long tables filled with laptops, each student working on their own device. Heather says that the students chose the theme of "food" because it's a topic "that everyone has something to say about."

"The hard part is when you tell someone to write, and they say, sure. Then you spend a month chasing them to submit!"

Editorial members are required to write in every issue and recruit other students to participate. Sally Van says:

Writing for Rubix is amazing, and being on the editorial board is even better.

"The first bite feels crunchy, then you get something white with pink and green bits coming out from all sides... it looks like mayonnaise with weird stuff."

Alicia wrote to understand: Why doesn’t she like crab rangoon? This is precisely the essence of food writers. In her article for Rubix, she asks: "Why do I hate crab rangoon?" even though everyone in her family loves it. Is it the smell? The texture? She says:

Alicia Mart, a vibrant girl. She loved reading and then began to think: why don’t I write too?

"I held the cake in my little hand like it was a golden egg. Soft and sweet. This singular treasure brings back memories of celebrations, long trips, and warm hugs."

Sally Van wrote about her first food love: banh kem, a Vietnamese cake filled with custard and pineapple. She says:

"Eating on the plane made me realize that food can be a complete experience. It’s essential. And for many people, it’s a daily struggle."

Her poem "First-Class Food" came from his experience of traveling for free to Japan in first class, arranged by his brother who works for an airline. He says:

Marvin Valenzuela chooses his words like an artist paints a tree... leaf by leaf.

"Who stole it? Who is this thief in my family? Oh my, my beloved food was taken stealthily!"

In her article titled "Ways to Hide Food", she describes how she would hide a delicious meal in the fridge to eat later, only for it to disappear the next day:

Alyssa Mascarinhas writes because she "got lost in long and random stories" that needed to come out.

Nelly Silva says food was a turning point for her. When she came to Boston at age 7, she couldn’t speak English, but she learned to read, and from there, she started writing.

"Food is not just food. It’s fuel, and a blessing, and a connection. Our whole home is a kitchen. We grow, and my dad fishes, and we swap cooking with neighbors."

Nelly says:

Then a funny conversation unfolds between her and Alyssa, each trying to outdo each other with crazy food stories from their families.

"The same thing happens at our place. If I don’t cook, I go hungry. When my friends say their parents prepare them lunch, I’m like: What?! I’m the one cooking for myself."

Alyssa responds:

"My mom could be in the hospital, and she comes out saying: I must cook. She cooks nine dishes if someone says they’re coming over. And if they don’t come, she’ll wait at the table until 2 AM!"

Nelly says:

"We have the same thing. And the food is always delicious. Why would anyone eat something bad? One of my friends says dinner at their house is rice with hot dogs! This is not called dinner."

Alyssa sarcastically comments:

"With $5, you can’t buy a lot of groceries. But you can buy a complete meal from McDonald’s. There’s something wrong with the food system in America."

Alicia says:

About who cooks, what they order in restaurants, and why they eat at McDonald's even though everyone knows it’s wrong.

In a moment, everyone starts talking. Everyone tells their stories. Everyone laughs. Everyone shares.

"I now believe that food is a force that shapes community."

And everyone nods in agreement.

Now, Marvin leans back in his chair and says:

And no one answered me.

I had asked them earlier: Has writing about food changed their perspective on it?

There can't be a more magnificent moment than this.

And I thought to myself:

Written by: Louisa Cassidon, founder of Let's Talk About Food

To visit 826 Boston: 3035 Washington Street, Roxbury, or online at 826boston.org

Note: This story was published in the Spring 2020 issue before the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.