Every good talent takes time, practice and dedication, a fact which 19-year-old Caroline Andrew knows very well. She has been developing her gift of poetry and spoken word most of her life. She says she has written her whole life because it was passed down from her grandfather who is also a writer.

She attended a private high school at The King’s Academy, where she was recognized early on as a freshman upon winning a speech contest. Now in her fifth quarter at De Anza College, she continues to do hyperbole spoken word; which are strong emphasis poems on a certain topic meant to stir up a feeling or create a certain impression on others.

In addition, she writes traditional love poems. Her favorite is Allen Ginsberg, popular in the 70s and 80s,. She is inspired by random people she sees in her everyday life.

Andrew has a learning disability known as dyslexia which makes it harder for the brain to process written language, particularly reading or spelling. But, for this brilliantly artistic student writing has never been an issue. In fact Andrew said, “writing poetry is an easy way to express yourself.”

Andrew defeats many stereotypes in society that claim those with a disability “can’t do” something; however, she has clearly shown she has a “can do” attitude on life.

Although poetry is one of her fun pursuits, it isn’t the only skill that she possesses. Writing poetry is something she says she does for fun because she loves it and has hopes to be published one day. She is also interested in black and white photography, writes music in the genre of alternative pop- punk and is an assistant kindergarten teacher at a day care in Sunnyvale.

De Anza instructors have helped tremendously in her pursuits to further develop her miraculous gift of writing.

“Teachers at De Anza have taught me it’s important to be yourself and don’t take crap from people,” said Andrew. “De Anza is a place I can write freely because in high school and at home I have to censor myself.”

Andrew’s major is Theater Production. She wants to do technical lighting and production for stages. She is a technician and lighting director for her church in Los Gatos. She says she loves stage work because there is a certain energy involved in it; theater production is all about “doing something and making something glow.”