2025: 46,800 Minutes of Storytelling
Panelists (from left to right): Stephen Palmer, Alison Haskovec, Yalda Uhls, Pilar Alvarez, and Rory Pullens.
Highlights of Our Year.
For over 25 years, Young Storytellers has been in public school classrooms helping students tell their stories. What we do works, and our students’ outcomes prove it. Before the year ends, we wanted to share a few highlights from 2025. Because of your support:
More than 440 students received weekly writing mentorship in classrooms across Los Angeles
46,800 minutes of in-class storytelling and scriptwriting took place
39 public schools and after-school sites partnered with Young Storytellers
2 new classrooms launched in South and East LA, expanding access to creative programming
1,000 attendees joined us at our annual Spookiest Show (our highest turnout ever!)
786 volunteers supported students with guidance, encouragement, and one-on-one mentorship
These milestones are powerful, but behind each number is a student who realized their story matters. Thank you for helping make this work possible.
The Spookiest Show:
In October, we brought nearly 1,000 community members together for our first-ever Spookiest Show, a Halloween twist on our signature Biggest Show, where professional actors brought students’ spooky, funny, and brilliant scripts to life on stage. The night was filled with joy, laughter, and genuine connection, and it reminded us why storytelling matters: young people seeing their ideas celebrated by a full theater, cheering them on. Thanks to your support, we were able to honor our students and sustain the work happening in classrooms citywide.
Spotlight: Joshua’s Animated Short Premieres at The Spookiest Show
In 2025, we also partnered with Spuree on a special CG animation curriculum that brought one young storyteller’s script to life. With the support of professional animation mentors, Union Avenue Elementary student Joshua transformed his story “Little Ghost” from page to screen: developing character designs, directing voiceover performances, and shaping the final animated short. His journey was even featured on Spectrum News! We were thrilled to premiere Joshua’s film at The Spookiest Show and to celebrate what’s possible.
Where We Are and What’s Next:
Across our 2025 programming, our in-school programs continued to thrive. We're especially proud to have expanded our programs into two new sites: 24th Street Elementary and 95th Street Elementary, allowing us to reach even more students in these communities and deepen our impact. Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue and grow and are committed to reaching even more young people next year: ensuring every student, in every neighborhood, has the chance to be heard, celebrated, and supported.
Honoring Bill Thompson:
This year also reflects the leadership Bill Thompson has brought to Young Storytellers. As he prepares to transition out of his role at the end of this year, we are proud to continue the work he’s championed for 19 years: amplifying student voices, creating joyful learning spaces, and building classrooms centered on belonging.
You Make the Next Chapter Possible
Your support keeps these programs going. If you are able, consider making a year-end gift to sustain this impact into 2026.
