UWG Stories
Estrell Young
“A silent man is never quoted,” Estrell said. “UWG taught me to speak up."
University of West Georgia senior and Baltimore native Estrell Young has been writing since he was in fifth grade. By 2005, he was a student of UWG and the author of “Real Life, Little Time,” a book of poems reflecting his life experiences.
Life brought the criminology major/mass communications minor to West Georgia in an effort to foster his individuality, he said, and the opportunities he has been given and goals he has accomplished tell him that the decision was the right one.
Estrell shares some of those opportunities with others as host of the University Television UTV13 program “Free Verse” and through his role as the president and co-founder (along with mass communications staff member James Paul) of the student organization of the same name.
In addition to improving his own voice, the show allows students to speak their minds creatively.
“The TV show is a artistic utility for students, faculty, staff and the community. Anyone can come on and display their artistic abilities via poetry, singing and so forth,” Estrell said to describe the program.
“Free Verse as a student organization is a free-expression group for the arts,” he continued. “If students are looking for artistic feedback and enjoy the arts, Free Verse is the ideal organization to join.”
Estrell, who has recently published a book of short stories called “A Painting of a Gentleman,” said his time at UWG and with Free Verse has encouraged him to develop his leadership skills as well as helped him learn to rely on others. Additionally, Free Verse helped shape him into a well-rounded artist who can perform on any occasion and do it well.
“A silent man is never quoted,” Estrell said. “UWG taught me to speak up.
“I try to diversify my topics to broaden my audience, and UWG made it possible for me to articulate my work in a matter which everyone could understand,” he concluded. “Although I came to West Georgia because of the location, I stay because of the diversity of the people and the privilege of experiencing different cultures.”
“Free Verse,” created by Paul, appears on UTV13 Monday through Friday at noon and 10:30 p.m.
