One of the great joys of the Be the Voice of Girls program is witnessing creativity unfold in real time. During our recent virtual session with longtime friend and teaching artist Samantha Bell, that magic happened once again—this time through laughter, storytelling, and the simple power of descriptive language.
Samantha has been with BVG from the beginning, guiding girls through art, writing, design, and digital expression. But this session was something special. In celebration of our current “Art of Writing” theme, she invited the girls to stretch their imaginations through descriptive writing—starting with a deceptively simple sentence: “The dog ran.”
From there, the girls turned that plain phrase into vivid scenes. Was it a fluffy white pup darting down a sunlit street, or a muddy golden retriever leaping a fence to chase adventure? With Samantha’s gentle guidance and encouragement, the girls discovered how details shape stories and how our senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, taste—can bring language to life.
And what better way to model storytelling than with a tale straight from real life? Samantha shared hilarious snapshots from her hometown’s quirky April Fool’s Day parade, complete with costumed jesters, racing outhouses, and her 92-year-old mother reigning as queen in a homemade cardboard castle. It was a beautiful reminder that storytelling doesn’t have to be distant or fictional—it can start right in your backyard.
The girls took this inspiration and ran with it. In just a few sentences, they transported us to springtime streets in Ankara, amusement parks buzzing with teens and laughter, cozy libraries filled with the smell of coffee, and bustling city parks where corn vendors pass by. Each voice was unique. Each story painted a new picture. And every contribution added to the growing confidence we see in each cohort of BVG girls.
For some, writing may start as a way to practice English. But for many of our students, it quickly becomes something more: a tool for reflection, a means of expression, and a bridge between cultures. Whether describing a bakery in Istanbul or an amusement park in Izmir, the girls are learning that their voices matter—and that they can use language to share their experiences with the world.
Samantha closed the session by encouraging the girls to keep journaling—just a few lines a day can lead to powerful discoveries. And judging by the sparkle in their words and the smiles on their faces, we have a feeling these journals will soon be filled with stories worth sharing.
This is what Be the Voice of Girls is all about: creativity, connection, and courage, one sentence at a time.
