As she prepared to graduate from Summerville High School, Daisha McHatton was reflective — not just about her accomplishments, but about the growth and lessons this chapter of life has brought her.
“High school has been a long and eye-opening experience,” Daisha shares. “I’m really ready to graduate and move on to a new chapter.” Among her proudest moments this year: earning her HOSA cord, making new friends, and achieving first place at both the district and state level for her PTA Reflections writing piece, “Accepting Imperfections.”
Her journey, however, hasn’t been without challenges. “I would’ve graduated with honors if it weren’t for one math class,” she admits with honesty. “But I’m still incredibly proud of maintaining high B’s and A’s throughout my senior year.” Staying motivated required strategy: taking notes, reviewing material in advance, and setting small, manageable goals. “Sometimes it was as simple as, ‘If I finish this, I can take a nap before dinner,’” she laughs. “Little things like that kept me going.”
Daisha’s award-winning writing piece, “Accepting Imperfections,” is deeply personal. “Growing up, I often struggled with feeling average — like I didn’t have a purpose,” she reflects. The piece touches on themes of identity, family challenges, and embracing life’s imperfect moments.
“I talk about my parents’ relationship, the racial barriers in my family, and the loss of my grandmother — all things that shaped who I am,” she says. Using powerful imagery like wildflowers and childhood memories, Daisha reframes her past as a foundation for future strength. “Those reminders can feel dark, but they’re also steppingstones toward greatness.”
Winning first place was both validating and surreal. “It’s something I never thought would happen,” Daisha says. “I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me and my writing.”
Her talent didn’t stop with contest wins. Daisha is now a published author. Her debut novel, Paradise, follows the life of Rosalina, an African American woman navigating motherhood, love, and personal growth from the 1940s to the 1970s.
“Inspiration for Paradise came from my own experiences and the relationships around me,” Daisha explains. “I started writing seriously two years ago, during a time of personal change. My ex broke up with me, and that influenced how Rosalina’s love story unfolded.”
Family also shaped the novel. “My mother is a huge inspiration. Despite hardships and judgment, she always pushes forward. And my grandmother’s passing taught me so much about grief, resilience, and love.”
The writing process, she says, was smooth once she found her rhythm. But there were surprises — like researching train travel and daily life for African Americans during that era. “Reddit actually helped me find detailed information on train routes,” she laughs.
One of Daisha’s biggest hopes for Paradise is to broaden how Black stories are represented. “I wanted to write a book where racism wasn’t the main theme,” she says. “So many Black narratives are centered on oppression — which is important to acknowledge — but there are other ways to tell our stories. I wanted Paradise to feel real and relatable beyond just racial struggles.”
A writer since middle school, Daisha has no plans to stop now. Her process blends planning and spontaneity — she knows how a story will end, but lets the details unfold naturally. Influenced by authors like Lisa See, Daisha gravitates toward historical fiction with strong female leads and hopes to explore fantasy in the future.
After graduation, she’ll attend Trident Technical College to pursue a degree in human services, with plans to earn her master’s in social work. “Writing will always be part of my life — even if it remains a side career,” she says.
In fact, more stories are already taking shape. “I have three ideas I’m exploring: a fantasy novel, a story about friendships and growing apart, and another historical fiction piece centered around war.”
For other aspiring writers, Daisha offers this advice: “Never give up, and be open to criticism. I wrote a lot of ‘bad’ pieces early on — but they helped me grow. There’s no progress without mistakes.” She also encourages young writers to find their own voice. “Don’t let fear or pride stop you from learning and improving.”
If she could speak to her younger self? “I’d tell her: Keep going. There’s light on the other side of the struggles. Don’t be blinded by self-doubt or overthinking — your future holds more than you can imagine.”
As Daisha turns the page to this next chapter, one thing is clear: this young author’s story is just beginning.
Be sure to read Daisha’s reflections- found in a second article in this issue titled “Imperfect, Flawed, Unique“.