MASC Arts
Awards
Leticia Alvarez & Frances Itani
Celebrating its 22nd year, the
MASC Arts Awards is a celebration
of students in Grades 6 to 8 who
are passionate, creative and
would benefit from support to
explore his or her artistic
development outside the school
setting. Winners are awarded a
scholarship from The School of
Dance, the Ottawa Children’s
Theatre, Bluesfest School of Music
and Art, the Ottawa School of Art
or mentorship with a published
author, to support them in
furthering their artistic
development. Many thanks to our
event sponsor The French Family
Foundation.
“If you hadn't believed in me”
Leticia Alvarez was a bright and
curious Grade 6 student who
won the MASC Arts Award in
Literary Arts in 2013 and
received a mentorship with
award-winning author Frances
Itani. Recently, we were
delighted to receive an email
from her, reflecting on the
difference that this MASC Arts
Award and mentorship has had
on her life. Today, Leticia is a
first-year student at the
University of Auckland, she is a
blogger for their website and
she and Frances remain in close
touch. With permission, we have
shared our correspondence with
both Leticia and Frances.
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“You have no idea what the
impact of your work had on my
life.”
I really wanted to reach out and tell you about
how the entire experience of winning a MASC
award and the friendship that's developed with
Frances, haven't just dripped into my daily life -
they've become a compass of sorts. By
believing in me, you made me believe in all the
good and wonderful that exists in the world,
and you gave me a reason to keep writing. I
really do think that's my purpose in life.
Absolutely nothing makes me happier and
there's a wonderful potential behind connecting
with another stranger and meeting them
halfway, through a story.
3 countries and 7 years later, I'm still a writer
and I correspond with Frances regularly.
Comparing my writing before and after
learning from Frances blows my mind. It was
just an eye-opening experience, one of the
events in my life I'll remember forever, that
shaped the course of everything else. Last
year, I won the New Zealand Red Cross
International Humanitarian Law contest and
got to meet the prime minister, for a short
story I submitted. Writing hasn't just been
woven into my life; it's been the driving factor
behind most things. I don't go more than two
days without writing something, or I feel like
something is off kilter. Who knows if I'd still be
at it, if you hadn't believed in me then?
I have no idea what my life would look like
otherwise. You really did just hand over a box
of absolute happiness, faith, and opportunity,
to a thirteen-year-old on the cusp of
discovering something really incredible.
The night of the MASC awards Gala
evening, I told my parents, "I feel like an
empty glass and tonight was just a jug
of happiness being poured in until it
overflowed." What a gift. I just want to
thank you, from the bottom of my
heart.
Leticia Alvarez
I so enjoy keeping in touch with
Leticia. She is one of the most
talented writers I’ve ever worked
with and I will continue to do
everything I can to ensure that she has a
chance to fulfill her enormous potential as an
artist. The experience of being a mentor is
rewarding for me, too. Becoming friends with
Leticia and her family has been a great
pleasure, and a learning experience, as well. As
she learns, so do I. Always a two-way process.
Frances Itani