2008 Woodie Awards
In the spotlight: Patricia Ripley: Published and proud
Graduate student creates "Mi Abuela," an adventurous children's story
Samantha Marinko
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Features
"I run to Mi Abuela when my sister will not play," reads the first line of the children's story "Mi Abuela" by Sacred Heart graduate student Patricia Ripley.
In June, Ripley will be completing her education through the Sacred Heart graduate educational leadership program.
Upon her graduation of the program, Ripley would like to become a department head, assistant principal or principal with the state of Connecticut.
"Mi Abuela" is a generational, uplifting story about a young girl who goes to her sister seeking a playmate.
When her sister turns her down, she goes to her grandmother and winds up having an adventurous day she never expected.
The story takes place in the islands, most closely identified with Puerto Rico and incorporates several Spanish references.
"I am extremely interested in social justice issues and multigenerational families and culture," said Ripley, who explained that her interest in the Spanish culture also comes partly from her once-home state of Arizona, which is heavily influenced by Mexico.
"The cultural exchange of ideas is rich and fascinating," said Ripley.
Despite her many references to it in "Mi Abuela," Ripley doesn't actually speak Spanish, although she hopes to one day learn it.
"We are not the Eurocentric America that existed when our forefathers established the Constitution. I have been greatly influenced by the Spanish culture just through day to day interactions across my lifetime," said Ripley.
Ripley chose to use the grandmother as the main character because "grandparents today seem to have a much more involved and relaxed relationship with their grandchildren than in ages past," Ripley said.
"They like to spend time playing, a luxury they may not have had when their own children were young… my mother had that type of relationship with my children."
Writing has always been Ripley's passion.
"I guess I'm really a storyteller at heart," said Ripley, who has experienced a number of different careers throughout the years.
In June, Ripley will be completing her education through the Sacred Heart graduate educational leadership program.
Upon her graduation of the program, Ripley would like to become a department head, assistant principal or principal with the state of Connecticut.
"Mi Abuela" is a generational, uplifting story about a young girl who goes to her sister seeking a playmate.
When her sister turns her down, she goes to her grandmother and winds up having an adventurous day she never expected.
The story takes place in the islands, most closely identified with Puerto Rico and incorporates several Spanish references.
"I am extremely interested in social justice issues and multigenerational families and culture," said Ripley, who explained that her interest in the Spanish culture also comes partly from her once-home state of Arizona, which is heavily influenced by Mexico.
"The cultural exchange of ideas is rich and fascinating," said Ripley.
Despite her many references to it in "Mi Abuela," Ripley doesn't actually speak Spanish, although she hopes to one day learn it.
"We are not the Eurocentric America that existed when our forefathers established the Constitution. I have been greatly influenced by the Spanish culture just through day to day interactions across my lifetime," said Ripley.
Ripley chose to use the grandmother as the main character because "grandparents today seem to have a much more involved and relaxed relationship with their grandchildren than in ages past," Ripley said.
"They like to spend time playing, a luxury they may not have had when their own children were young… my mother had that type of relationship with my children."
Writing has always been Ripley's passion.
"I guess I'm really a storyteller at heart," said Ripley, who has experienced a number of different careers throughout the years.
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