FEATURES |
|
Be sure to check out these other Feature articles:
Criminal Justice major goes undercover
|
Students coach young writers at local schoolBy John Bailey
Dr. Jon Hershey, professor of English, sponsors the creative writing program that takes place at the elementary school on Mondays. The 10-week program puts Highlands� students in charge of a small group of children that they help on a variety of writing projects.These projects are then put together for publication in the annual �AKD Writer�s Academy� publication. In addition to the journal, the children give a spoken public presentation of their work.�The kids are enjoyable,� said Mayo. �We have a blast.� GHC Creative Writing class students that take part in the service learning project are excused from certain class projects and don�t have to take the final exam. They do have to go through a small amount of mentor training, though.Though all students in Hershey�s creative writing class have the service learning program as an option in the class, it is not limited to the class. The Writer�s Academy project is funded through a grant by Rome Area Council of the Arts, and partners in the project include the 100 Black Men of Rome, and Community In Schools.Jacki Padgett, general studies major from Lindale, Ga. and a student volunteering for the program, said, �I enjoy working with the kids. It gives me a chance to give back to our community. It�s really great.� The after school writing program was started by Hershey in 2004. Students are selected for this program based on interest. |
�The kids at Anna K. Davie don�t need help with their creativity,� said Randie Mayo, general studies major from Tallpoosa, Ga. �We just help the kids by keeping them focused.�