A powerful message for extra credit

Seaford High School junior Emily Scimeca turned an extra credit writing assignment in class into a life lesson — and got the piece published to boot.

In October, Scimeca had a short story, “The Struggles of Life,” published in Teen Ink, a website and magazine devoted to teen art, poetry and writing. The story follows the main character Elisa, a high school student struggling with anxiety and depression. Everything seemed hopeless for Elisa until she discovered basketball, which gave her the confidence to believe in herself. According to Scimeca, the story is about overcoming bullying and emotional struggles.

“Don’t let others tear you down or put limits on you,” Scimeca said.

Throughout the story, Elisa finds solace in playing basketball while facing challenges in high school, including losing friends and being bullied by the players on her own basketball team. Sensing her struggles, Elisa’s basketball coach helps her by sharing with her the negativity from others that he has experienced. The coach’s words lift Elisa’s spirits, and during a game she excels as the leading scorer and earns recognition for her defensive skills.

Scimeca said she based the coach on Giannis Antetokounmpo, a basketball player for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, because he grew up being teased for his skinny appearance. According to Scimeca, portraying the coach as a motivational figure in the story was important, providing young people with someone to look up to and shape their mindset around.

Scimeca expressed hope that her short story will be read, urging others to move on from negativity and get ahead in life. At the end of the story, Elisa is drafted into the WNBA, and Scimeca offered encouraging words for people to believe in themselves and not get torn down by others.

“When you have doubts in your own mind,” Scimeca said, “and you let others continue doubting you, you just go downhill from there.”

According to Christina Proia, Scimeca’s 11^th-grade English teacher, the story began as an extra credit assignment in her class, with her students tasked with writing a short story while incorporating writing elements, such as themes, literary devices and characterization. Proia added that the activity was designed to help build up her students’ skill sets, and they were given full creativity on what story to write. When students handed in their assignments, Proia said Scimeca’s story stood out.

“I immediately was just blown away,” Proia said. “It was pure natural talent.”

Proia said she saw that Scimeca was passionate about the assignment and didn’t just do it for the extra credit. The following class, Proia spoke to Scimeca, praising her story and suggesting getting the assignment published. Proia said Scimeca was shocked when she was told to publish her work, and it boosted her confidence. Proia recommended to Scimeca to submit her story for publication, and she had her story published in Teen Ink.

“She really took initiative on this,” Proia said, “and as a teacher it was really wonderful to see someone so inspired and so creative.”

After submitting the story, Scimeca showed the piece to Frank Stazzone, her school counselor.

“I loved reading it,” Stazzone said, “and I loved that she wanted to share it.”

Stazzone said he enjoyed how Scimeca’s story tackled mental health issues, which is so prevalent, and he was happy she had a message that she wanted to tell people.

“It’s a tremendous message,” Stazzone said, “and I’m proud of her.”

Proia said students could be shy when displaying creativity, but if they put themselves out there and try their hardest, they could accomplish most anything.

“It’s incredibly moving and uplifting and inspiring,” Proia said of Scimeca’s story, “not just for students her age, but younger kids and even adults. The message plays throughout entireties of life.”

As for advice to students, Scimeca said: “Stay true to yourself, and don’t let others dictate who you are as a person.”