OUR STORY
Inspired by a line that Emily Dickinson once wrote in a letter – “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself” – The Lantern Collective curates autobiographical stories of teenagers reflecting on deeply personal and meaningful experiences in their lives.
Created by a teenager for other teenagers, The Lantern Collective showcases stories that feature universal themes like love and heartache in the hopes of helping young people understand that they are not alone in experiencing such profound feelings and emotions. Whether they are describing moments of grief or joy, frustration or success, the teenagers featured on The Lantern Collective are all on a journey of self-discovery, just like Emily Dickinson and all of us.
ABOUT ME
My name is Shoronya Majumder, and I am a highschool sophomore in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC. I have lived in the DC area for most of my life, excluding the six years of primary school that I spent in London. In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, reading, art, and listening to music.
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Growing up, I have always had a deep fascination for the human condition and exploring our similarities and differences. I have wondered the extent to which we each live the same life, and this project is my way of getting that answer. But, it’s also more than that. As a teenager who has struggled with mental health, I know how important it is to have an outlet for all of your emotions. I also know that it can be hard to be vulnerable with people face to face, and how isolating being a teenager can feel. The Lantern Collective allows teenagers to express their emotions without having to worry of the repercussions, and to see others going through the same. My goal for this website is to investigate the ties between us, showing each other that we are not on our own, while also creating a safe space for expression.