September 18, 2006

Abrahams Honors Local Poet

Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) was pleased to present a citation to Karen Denise Menjivar, a 21-year-old self-published poet from Uniondale. Her current book, Memories, includes works that emphasize events in her daily life.

“We are very proud of Ms. Menjivar and all her accomplishments as a writer and as a talented young member of our community,” Legislator Abrahams said. “We wish her all the best as she continues to pursue her goals.”

Ms. Menjivar has been writing since she was thirteen years old and her book was finally published at the age of 20. She is the eldest of three children and was raised by her mother and her mother’s side of the family. It was hard for her growing up because her mother was deaf and divorced from her father. When she went into third grade she was placed in special education but by the time she was 14, she was placed in regular classes. At the age of 15 she began to lose her hearing.

In 2002 Ms. Menjivar graduated from West Hempstead High School and B.O.C.E.S. Small Animal Care. Upon graduation she attended Suffolk Community College, Nassau Community College, and the Franklin Career Institute. She also holds a degree in Phlebotomy accredited by New York State.

She is currently starting a creative writing workshop and she hopes to create a state-wide program to help educate children of the art of writing. She is also presently working on her second book.