27th Annual young writers conference
The Worcester County Young Writers Conference once again hosted the next generation of writers and artists.
On Saturday, March 4, the 27th annual Betty Curtis Worcester County Young Writers Conference was held at Saint John's. Every spring, this day-long workshop brings together eager young writers from across the state to participate in writing workshops and listen to professional and aspiring writers speak about their craft.
Accomplished local writers served as mentors for 64 students from 16 schools, each working in groups throughout the day.
Students participated in small groups led by local writers Beth Sweeney (Poetry), Rodger Martin (Creative Nonfiction), Heather Macpherson (Poetry), Tim Mudie (Fiction), Ben Gitkind (Playwriting), Stephanie Monahan (Fiction), Laina Pruett (Fiction), history teacher Russ McClintock (Creative Nonfiction), and English teacher/WCYWC director Diane Mulligan (fiction).
Brave students sharing their writing after this morning's large group session! pic.twitter.com/n4I7wmL3r3— WCYWC (@WCYWC) March 4, 2017
Student volunteers Ben Vanasse, Dion Holden, Ed Cui, Rui Ma, and Michael Bonhomme, Zachary Boisvert managed the conference from registration in the morning through lunch and clean up; Kevin Xing photographed the sessions; Jonathan Lane wrote a beautiful prayer to kick off the day; Michael Lanosa graciously hosted mentor readings; Patrick Duffy and Brian White led participants in a fun and entertaining writing workshop; Sooyoung Kim hosted one of the highlights of the day, the student readings; and Malcolm Patel gave an excellent introduction to keynote speaker Regie Gibson.
Regie Gibson, he brought the crowd to their feet...literally. The day ended with a resounding standing ovation at the end of his remarks.
The one and only Regie Gibson! He brought down the house! pic.twitter.com/8JLKXVvx1H— WCYWC (@WCYWC) March 4, 2017
In a conference first, a student also received a standing ovation. Ama Agyeman-Williams, an eighth grader from Seven Hills Charter School, stole the show with her poetry.
Want to learn more about the WCYWC? Find more about the program, from past speakers to pictures of recent workshops here.
You can follow @WCYWC on Twitter for news, pictures, and writing tips!
