Writer’s Statements

Adam Chaffe

Writer's Statement 

Conversations about Reading often paint the city in a negative light, focusing on the violence and crime within the city, but they seem to ignore the great things that people can experience here. Chino and KJ`s stories from Star City Boxing have shown me that Reading can still be a beacon for opportunity and high aspirations. I had a great experience being able to work with both Chino and KJ, who remain undefeated in the ring. I have no doubt that they will continue to better themselves and to inspire the younger generations at Star City. 

Bio 

I am a sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in Writing and Digital Media. Before this semester, I briefly went to Kutztown University where I minored in writing, but chose to drop out and enlist in the Coast Guard. I spent a little over five years in the Coast Guard where I was an Aviation Maintenance Technician. Once my contract ended in October 2021, I decided to go to Penn State to get my degree, where I had the pleasure of working with KJ and Chino on this story project. 

Giovanna DeLima

Writer’s Statement 

The time that I got to know Coach Bates and Coach Julian and take in everything that there is to learn about them has been nothing short of an amazing experience. Learning about the love and dedication they have to Star City Boxing and the community of Reading is incredibly inspiring. Not only was I moved by their stories, I was also inspired and motivated by everything in life they’ve accomplished and in my work writing their stories. I hope you enjoy reading their stories nearly as much as I enjoyed writing them.  

Bio 

I am a sophomore here at Penn State Berks majoring in Writing and Digital Media. Throughout the time I have been here at Penn State, I’ve learned about all kinds of writing, this project being my favorite. While my writing is digital media based, mainly features and columns, I aim to use this project to inspire my writing and use it in other projects. Working with Star City has given me the chance to work on more community-based projects and has been an inspiring experience to say the least. 

Joseph Fromuth

Writer’s Statement 

By working to tell the stories of those involved with Star City Boxing, we have seen that notions of Reading as a crime-infested city oversimplify the complexities of the issues that grip our nation. More violent or chaotic parts of town have good people who are working hard to make a difference. Alex and Monica Betances and all the coaches have dedicated their recent efforts to making Reading a better place for young people to live. In reading and sharing these stories, readers will see that the people of Reading have a desire to improve their city, change its reputation, and help coming generations live healthy and productive lives.  

Bio 

I am a Writing and Digital Media major and an Information Sciences and Technology Minor at Penn State Berks. Over the past few semesters, I have learned several practical skills in various forms of writing and video production, and this project marked an excellent opportunity to apply these in a community-based setting. Although I am more into gathering and analyzing quantitative data, working with Star City Boxing has been a meaningful experience, showing me a side of Reading that I could not have found anywhere else. By taking the time to interview coaches Shakeem and Henry, I have also found another form of writing that I can continue to develop.