Key West High School welcomed acclaimed author Erin Gruwell last month.  Gruwell’s book, Freedom Writers, has become a story of that shares how the power of relationships, perseverance and writing enables students to tell their story.  KWHS teacher, Kyla Shoemaker, has been a part of the Freedom Writer’s initiative for several years, working with Gruwell by first having her talk to her students via Zoom, then attending trainings and being a driving force in bringing Gruwell to Key West.  Thanks to Keys to Be the Change and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Gruwell was able to speak to an audience at Studios of Key West as well as the high school students.  She is inspirational, motivating and continues to help teachers and students share their stories through the power of the written word.