The Publick Room was decked out in all things Valentines and writing last week, as the usually silent study room was buzzing with excitement for the first Writing Workshop Conference in about 20 years.
The event allowed anonymous writers from all grades and class levels to share some of their hard work with peers and gave them a chance to read and review other stories.
“The group of English teachers who planned and organized this week chose a strategic time—mid-February, when most people have the blahs and right in front of a long weekend,” English Department Chair Kristen Carlson said. “This was a great moment to celebrate student writing, spend time reading and talking about stories, and eating non-nutritional snacks in the Publick Room.”
The pieces ranged from horror stories to poems to personal anecdotes, and they were sprawled across the table in the Publick room to choose from.
In addition to the writing and feedback, there was an array of food. Students enjoyed cookies, hot cocoa, popcorn and each other’s input!
The event allowed the English department to “really celebrate what kids are doing academically in the classroom,” said English teacher Mrs. Van Skyock.
She said LFHS hosts pep rallies and student sections to support sports and clubs, but this event really brought everyone together to showcase LFHS student’s writing skills. It was also a way to invite students to submit their work for Young Ideas, the school’s literary magazine.
English teacher Mrs. Van Skyock organized the new and improved conference.
“I hope that they learn by reading the other pieces and that they inspire them to push themselves. As a student, you either like or don’t like writing, and hopefully this event encourages them to at least try. I hope the younger kids look forward to putting pieces in there next year!” Van Skyock said.
The workshop wasn’t necessarily about just revising others’ pieces, it reminded people that writing isn’t just the end product, but the creativity that goes into it. It promoted good constructive criticism among peers and connected those who may have had similar experiences or interests in their stories.
The conference not only successfully gave students feedback and a chance to improve on their writing but fostered a sense of community among LFHS writers.
The juniors who’ve grown through the LFHS writing program had great feedback for this new conference activity.
“I had so much fun and loved reading all the new pieces. It gave me some inspiration on what to write for my next one, especially all the imagery and the poems and the exciting material I haven’t seen before,” junior Addington Leahy said.
