We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible performances from our Fall semester student readings, a culmination of months of creativity, mentorship, and bold self-expression.
Throughout the semester, our passionate Teaching Fellows led student-centered creative writing workshops that nurtured voice, craft, and confidence. Through weekly prompts and mentorship, students were introduced to a wide range of writers, including: Jason Reynolds, Ocean Vuong, Jacqueline Woodson, Jamaica Kincaid, Claudia Rankine, and James Baldwin. Inspired by these literary icons, students crafted original poems, short stories, and prose pieces that reflected their truths, dreams, and artistic evolution.
This year’s Fall Readings took place over the course of three powerful days:
George Jackson Academy, December 2nd: Hosted by Teaching Fellows Shelby McDonald and Hannah Berman
George Jackson Academy, December 9th: Hosted by Teaching Fellows Anne Pritikin and Cat Wesley
At George Jackson Academy, our middle school boys explored coming-of-age stories set against dystopian backdrops, grappling with themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery. Their joy and pride radiated as they took the stage in front of family, friends, and educators. The audience was deeply moved by their performances, which showcased not just talent, but also courage and commitment to the written word.
High School of Economics and Finance, December 16th: Hosted by Teaching Fellows Jennifer Cho Salaff, Arianna Gundlach, Brianna Lopez, and Marlene May
At HSEF, our high school students, many of whom have participated in WriteOn for multiple years, took the mic with poise and power. Their pieces reflected deep personal reflection and maturity, touching on identity, generational memory, resilience, and love.
Jeremy, one of our standout writers, shared words of affirmation: “For the night is the darkest before dawn, rising even when the weight feels too strong.”
And Brittany, reflecting on the beauty and strength of her mother, wrote: “But all I could see was her raw beautiness that I wished to attain.”
The students are not only developing as writers, they are stepping into their voices as artists and changemakers. Many are planning to pursue creative writing in college, and their performances made it clear: the future of literature is in powerful hands.
This work would not be possible without the dedication of our Teaching Fellows and the incredible partnership of teachers and staff at George Jackson Academy and the High School of Economics and Finance. What began as a vision from our Executive Director, Helen Schulman, has blossomed into an incubator for rising talent: future MFA candidates, journalists, and artists who are capturing the complexity of the teenage experience through their own authentic lens.
We are endlessly proud of our students and excited for all that’s ahead.
Stay tuned for highlights from our upcoming Spring Readings in May 2025!