Twelve-year-old Sasha Keehner of Brooklyn won first place in the BPL's 2025 Teen Writing Contest with her poignant poem "Russia is not Russian." Inspired by her unique background as a Russian-Ukrainian American, Sasha explores complex themes of heritage, identity, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Her father, Jonathan, expressed pride in her achievement, emphasizing how deeply Sasha values her dual cultural connections. The contest saw nearly 1,000 submissions, and winners receive not only cash prizes but also the opportunity to be published in BPL's "Teen Writing Journal."
"While I'm certainly a very proud father ... I thought the subject of the poem was topical to Brooklyn, the city and even the country," said Jonathan Keehner, Sasha's father.
"Russia is not Russian The N stands for not Russia is a country at war with the Moon, Stars, and Sun My family's heritage line. So am I at war?"
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