Aimée Bonar discovers herself through poetry, art and writing

Aimée Bonar is a poet who discovered her love for writing in an English class.

She is a rising senior at Francis H. Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley where she’s editor-in-chief for the student newspaper The Poly Optimist.

“I volunteered [to be editor-in-chief] because I like being in charge,” Aimée Bonar said.

Her mother, Lilian Bonar, has been amazed by Bonar’s ambition but not surprised that writing has something to do with it.

“When she wants something, she sets up a goal. It doesn’t matter what obstacles she might face, she works through until she accomplishes what she wants,” Lilian Bonar said.

She said she’s always known her daughter had a talent for writing.

“When Aimée was 3 years old, she got a napkin at a restaurant and told me she was writing a book. I knew she was going to be a writer,” Lilian Bonar said.

Because Aimée Bonar’s mother is Mexican and her father is white, she has developed strong emotions surrounding her dual identity.

“Even when I tell people about my ethnic background, they still treat me differently,” Aimée Bonar said. “They’ll make fun of me a lot. They would call me cracker. It was supposed to be funny, but over time it got hurtful. I didn’t think I was white enough to be a white girl or Hispanic enough to be Hispanic.”

Aimée Bonar’s mother believes her daughter will come to embrace both of her cultures.

“I understand that she has difficulties finding herself, but I think eventually she is going to find herself and be 100% sure about who she is,” Lilian Bonar said.

Brian Macias, a close friend of Aimée Bonar, is very much aware of her passion for writing.

“Whenever she’s in a mood, she writes poems and puts all her emotions on paper,” Macias said.

This upcoming fall semester, Bonar plans to incorporate elements of both poetry and art into her school newspaper.

“I don’t see any newspapers publish poetry. I think it’s important because I want kids to become involved in the paper even if they’re not in the journalism class — same with art. I want the paper to become more well known at school,” Bonar said.

As she continues her journey as a journalist, Aimée Bonar said she hopes to spread awareness of the most pressing issues facing her school, community and city, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to share his or her story and inspire others to do the same.