THIRD PLACE WINNERS – A TIE
Mikey Novoa, Neponset, 6th grade,
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy
Dorchester is more than just the place where I live. It is the place where I have grown, learned, and discovered who I am becoming. Every street, park and program has helped shape me into a stronger and more confident person. Growing up here has given me chances to try new things, meet new people, and learn important life lessons. Dorchester has taught me that community support matters and that having people around you who care makes a big difference. Because of my experiences in Dorchester, I have learned the value of teamwork, determination, and taking new opportunities even when they feel unfamiliar.
Growing up in Dorchester has always been a gift for me. Living here has given me the opportunity to experience life in the City of Boston while also being part of a strong and supportive community. Dorchester is a place where many people come together and work hard to help each other succeed. Through groups like The Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester and the All Dorchester Sports League I have been able to try new things and grow as a person. These programs have helped me become a more well-rounded student, both in academics and in sports. Being involved in these activities has taught me responsibility, teamwork, and confidence. What I love most about Dorchester are the people who live here and care about one another. Many of them share the same interests as I do, which makes it easier to build friendships and feel comfortable. I always feel like I belong when I am playing basketball in an organized league or simply throwing a football around with friends at Garvey Park. Living in Dorchester means I know I am surrounded by people who support me and want to see me succeed.
Even though I enjoy playing sports like basketball and football I believe it is also important to try new things to grow. Trying different activities helps me learn more about myself and discover interests I never expected. Dorchester offers many programs that encourage kids to step out of their comfort zones. One example is my experience with BUDA, which stands for Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance.
For the past two summers I have participated in this program. During my first summer I wasn’t very excited because I had never played Ultimate Frisbee before. I did not understand the rules, and I was unsure if I would enjoy the sport. Over time I learned the basic rules, practiced more and played against others in the program. As the weeks went on, I improved and felt more confident. By the end of that summer, I realized that I liked the sport. The next summer I joined again because I wanted to keep learning and spend time with the friends I made. The program was held at Garvey Park, which already feels special to me. This experience gave me more than a new sport to play. It helped me find another community of people who enjoy the same activity. From programs like BUDA, I learned that trying new things can lead to positive experiences and stronger connections.
Living in Dorchester my whole life has also given me opportunities to try activities outside of Boston. One experience that taught me a lot happened last year when I tried snowboarding. This was something completely new for me. At the beginning, I felt nervous and unsure of myself. I did not know how to snowboard very well and many of the other kids were much better than me. I felt discouraged and frustrated. Even so I remembered that learning something new takes time. I kept practicing and focused on improving little by little.
During the middle of the program, I was able to go down some slopes without falling, which made me feel proud. By the end of the experience, I realized how far I had come and I wanted to return the next winter. This experience taught me that I do not need to be good at something right away to enjoy it. It also taught me that determination matters more than skill and that trying new things can lead to confidence.
Dorchester has given me many opportunities to grow, both inside and outside the city. Through sports programs, community groups, and new experiences I have learned important lessons about myself. I have learned that surrounding yourself with supportive people makes challenges easier to face. I have learned that trying something new can feel scary but can also be rewarding.
Most importantly I have learned that Dorchester is a place that believes in its youth. Growing up here has helped prepare me for the future and has shown me that with effort, support, and confidence I can continue to grow and succeed wherever I go.
Jake Novoa of Neponset, 6th grade,
Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy
Dorchester— A wonderful place for a kid to grow up
I have lived in Dorchester my whole life and I really love it. Dorchester feels like home because I know the streets, the parks, and the people. I go to school and spend a lot of time at Garvey Park with my friends so there is always something to do.
I go to Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, and it is a great place for me to learn and be myself. At Garvey Park, there is almost always someone to play basketball or football with and we try new games sometimes. We make teams, choose captains and play until it gets dark. One of the best things about Dorchester is that there is something to do in every season. In the winter, there are indoor sports, in the spring, there are outdoor sports, in the summer, there are camps, and in the fall, there are more sports and clubs.
Dorchester is also an amazing place to live because of its strong community. The people here are friendly and encouraging and I feel comfortable being myself. When I walk around my neighborhood, I see familiar faces and people say hello. I’m part of the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club and the leaders are kind and supportive when I join activities. They help us follow the rules, stay safe and keep trying when something is hard. Some days after school, I go to the Leahy Holloran Community Center. I can swim, play video games or play basketball in the gym. These places help me feel like I belong, especially when I am spending time with my family and friends.
Another reason Dorchester is a great place to live is the sports opportunities. I like sports because they give me energy and something to look forward to after school. I play basketball at Garvey Park, the Boys and Girls Club and my school travel team, which helps me practice a lot. In the fall, Garvey Park has a flag football league, and I can also play Dorchester Soccer in the spring and fall. In the winter, I still try to stay active by playing inside when it is cold out. I recently started the Garvey Park basketball season, and it is exciting because I get to play with and against my friends. Sports keep me active, help me meet new people and teach me teamwork. Most importantly, sports help me make great memories and have fun.
I also love the multi-family homes in Dorchester because they keep my family close. My abuela Mona lives in the apartment right below mine so I can see her every day. I just walk down one flight of stairs. Sometimes I visit to talk or get a snack she made. My uncle Franky lives right across the street so I can visit him easily, too. I don’t need a long car ride to see the people I love and that makes a big difference. If I’m upset, stressed or unsure about something, I can go to my abuela or my uncle in just a few minutes. I feel supported when I am with them.
One more thing I love about Dorchester is my school. At first, school might not sound like something you would mention about your community. You have to learn, take tests, and do homework. That might not be the most fun part, but everyone needs to learn. My teachers make it fun and interesting. I go to Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy on Neponset Avenue. Instead of only taking notes and doing worksheets, we do hands-on activities that help us understand the lessons. In math class, we play math board games and solve problems with partners. In science class, we do experiments and sometimes we go outside. In Social Studies, we go on educational field trips and have seen places like Bunker Hill, Plymouth Rock, and the Freedom Trail. While I am learning, I also get to spend time with my classmates and that makes school even better.
To conclude, Dorchester is not just an ordinary place to live. It’s a fun part of Boston with activities all year round. There is always something exciting to do, whether I am at the park, at home or at school. The community is supportive and there are many places where kids can join activities and feel included. I also love how close I am to my family because it makes me feel safe and cared about. That is why living in Dorchester is special to me. In my community, we aren’t just neighbors or classmates. We are family.
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Dorchester Day Essay Contest winners
This year’s Dorchester Day Essay Contest, sponsored by The Reporter in partnership with the Dot Day Parade Committee, invited students in grades 6-8 to reflect on the neighborhood’s history, future, and new ways to celebrate Boston’s biggest and most diverse neighborhood.
A panel of judges from The Reporter and the Forry Foundation for Community Journalism reviewed the entries submitted by April 24, and after careful consideration finalized our top three choices on May 8. It was not an easy decision as there were many strong entrants and every young participant’s work had merit and featured great ideas.
First-place honors went to Quinton Vo, whose essay on “Waterfront & Climate Future” imagined Dorchester’s 400th anniversary as both a celebration and a call to action. Scarlett Burke, also a Murphy School sixth grader, earned second place for her essay focused on Dorchester’s 400th anniversary. Third place was a tie that went to the Novoa brothers, Mikey and Jake, who are no doubt familiar with that dynamic. The twins, who are sixth graders at Pope John Paul II Academy-Neponset, delivered essays that lifted up their experiences growing up in Dorchester.
The winning essays are printed in this week’s Reporter. We’re excited to share them with our readers, and we are grateful to all of the participants in this contest.
–BILL FORRY
