Our WriteOn readings of 2023 held special significance as we were finally able to celebrate completely in person! These readings honored the exceptional talents of young writers, and we take pride in the mentorship and guidance provided by our WriteOn fellows to these gifted students on a weekly basis.
On two Monday evenings, December 4th and 11th, a group of enthusiastic seventh and eighth graders at George Jackson Academy presented their literary creations. Considering their youthful energy and boundless curiosity, our teachers ensured that lessons were both enjoyable and engaging. Warm-up activities, free writing exercises, games using creative prompts, and mapping out a narrative structure all helped the students to boost their creativity. Hosted by WriteOn fellows Emily Elkind, Emma Minor, and Naomi Day, the reading day saw each student take turns standing on the platform to share their beautiful stories. It was a moment of immense pride and fulfillment for our WriteOn teachers and staff to witness the growth of the students as they crafted and expressed their stories in written form.
On Thursday, December 14th, students at the High School of Economics & Finance showcased their work. Throughout the fall semester, a committed crew of students in eleventh and twelfth grades engaged in discussions on literature and honed their writing skills under the guidance of our WriteOn fellows, Jennifer Cho Salaff and Em Deimling, Luuk Vulkers, and Grazi Giangiulio supervised by wonderful teacher Erin Swan. The students successfully worked on their individual pieces each week, and their dedication and camaraderie were evident in their positive, insightful, and generous comments toward each other. At the culminating event, the students shared their poems, novel excerpts, and essays. It marked a milestone for both students and teachers, highlighting the impact of the WriteOn program in nurturing future authors, poets, and screenwriters.
A big shoutout to all participating students who shared their works, and special thanks to our WriteOn teachers and staff in making this experience possible!