Senior High School student Riley Goldberg, who has a large following in our community, has published her first book. Riley has been very open about her struggles with bullying and has touched the lives of many people in our community with her poems and writings about how bullying has affected her.

Her book, called “Pieces of My Mind,” is now available on Amazon. Riley describes the book as “A place for the unkempt minds to go while seeking comfort from someone whom they do not know. A collection of poetry to aid human anxiety, a place of tranquility, and sporadic variety.”

(Riley Goldberg entered into High School at just 12 years old. She has a 4.87 Weighted GPA. She played 4 years on the varsity soccer team and is now a published author.)

Riley has not had the easiest road in life. She struggled with bullying early in her life, which led her to give up physical school and opt for online schooling. However, Riley is academically gifted, and the teachers could see that.

“Riley tested well beyond what a 12-year-old girl should, and she was recommended to skip some grades and enter high school early,” says her grandmother, Janet. “I just wanted to go back to school, and eventually I had the opportunity to do that at Leesburg High School. I tried out for the soccer team and made the team. Soccer and writing have helped my anxiety. When I write or play sports, it gives me an escape from the constant anxiety I feel, and I hope that my book can help others who struggle with the same thing,” says Riley.

(Riley was the goalie for Leesburg High school. She used sports as an escape from anxiety and depression from bullying.)

Riley recently gave a copy of the book to her Principal, Michael Randolph, who has been very supportive of Riley over the years. “He always likes to read what I bring him. I know he is very busy, so it means a lot to me when he would take the time to read my content. I look up to Principal Randolph, and he inspires me to want to reach for my dreams. I couldn’t ask for a better principal, and Leesburg High is in very good hands with his leadership,” says Riley.

Riley will be graduating as a 16-year-old. She will be among the very few graduates in Lake County who will be at such a young age. Riley intends to go to the University of Central Florida. She aims to get her English degree and become a college professor.

Riley’s story hits on a personal level for myself. As a young child who did get bullied at school, it warms my heart to see Riley speaking out on the issue. This is such an important issue that impacts so many people around the world. To see Riley be so open about her issues is the reason she is such an inspiration to people. I often think about how brave she is for not only talking about her anxiety but also what an inspiration she was to enter high school at such a young age.

(Riley Goldberg’s first book titled Pieces Of My Mind.)

“I fully intend to give back to the community. I want to do online schooling so I can help Leesburg High School. Being so young, I still have insecurities about being on my own, so staying close to home will help me. I want to continue to help the girls high school soccer program and I want to be a college professor one day. If my writing can help inspire just one person out there, then I feel accomplished,” says Riley.

“We are just so proud of who Riley is and what she has accomplished. We have always known what Riley is capable of, and when she wants something, she goes after and gets it,” says her grandmother, Janet Goldberg.

We look forward to seeing what Riley Goldberg is capable of in the next few years. Congratulations on the release of her book “Pieces of Mind,” which is now available on Amazon as a paperback for $16.99 and Kindle for $9.99.