From: Phil deHaan (dehp@calvin.edu)
Date: Mon Apr 21 2003 - 12:12:54 EDT
April 21, 2003 == MEDIA ADVISORY
Calvin College will host some 2,100 local elementary school, middle school and
high school students this weekend. They will come from all over West Michigan.
But all will be united by one thing: they love to write. And the Calvin
College Youth Writing Festivals are a highlight of their school year.
Two different groups of young authors - all in grades 1 through 5 - will
gather on the campus from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday and Saturday, April
25-26. Friday will also see the debut of the High School Writer's Workshop from
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturday the Middle School Writers Workshop will be held
from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Altogether, the Youth Writing Festivals are expected
to draw 2,100 student writers to campus.
Young authors will gather in small groups to praise and critique the writing
of their peers. Local journalists, poets, children's authors and educators will
teach the tricks of their various trades in workshop settings. And celebrated
authors will take to the stage to talk about their work and the writing life.
This year's roster includes Richard Peck, the 2001 winner of the Newbery Medal
for "A Year Down Yonder;" author and illustrator Tedd Arnold; and Gary Schmidt,
a Calvin English professor and author of young adult literature.
Calvin English and Education students serve as small group leaders and guides
for the event, something English professor Nancy Hull sees as important. "I
love that blend," she says, "our students working with students from the
greater Grand Rapids area. It's a chance for our students to model good
practices for writing."
In addition, the best of the middle and high school writing in six genres will
be recognized with awards. The Golden Pen will be awarded to the middle school
and high school authors of the best overall piece of writing in the festival.
"Think about how many times students are acknowledged for athletics, says
Calvin's Gary Schmidt. "To have them acknowledged for writing skills is pretty
significant."
The eventl began in 1976 in Calvin's Education department and in 1996 the
Calvin English department took the reins.
Contact Nancy Hull at 616-526-6728 or Denice O'Heron at 616-526-6264
-end-
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