Dear Young Writers, Teachers, and Parents,
On March 25, 2023, Saint John’s High School welcomed 37 students and 5 writer-mentors for the Thirty-Third Betty Curtis Worcester County Young Writers Conference. Students in grades 7 through 12 represented 13 schools. Throughout the day, students attended four workshop sessions and the afternoon culminated in an open mic.
The day could not have been a success without the help of many people. My thanks to my co-moderators Katherine Guercio and Michael Curran, and to Joy Murphy of the custodial staff, Matt Iacavone from the IT department, and theater coordinator Nathan Colby.
Several members of the class of 2024 also served as excellent helpers throughout the day: Chase Rule, Drew Lindquist, Patrick Kane, Arnav Sheth, and Teddy Conboy led icebreaker sessions to welcome our guests and start the day with a creative activity. Michael Mendilian composed and read the opening prayer (shared below), and Morgan Creighton served as emcee for the student open mic at the end of the day. Additionally, we had help from Declan Berger, Chase Brush, Dylan Liu, Thomas Papagni, and Sam Ross.
Opening Prayer
By Michael Mendilian
Thank you, God, for bringing us all together today to enjoy this day so all of us writers can express our love for one another and you through the words put on paper. Let us be able to enjoy this day as we unite as a community with the art of writing, a gift you gave us to be able to express ourselves through numerous different forms. Dear God, bless everyone who has joined us today to celebrate and find joy through the simple task of putting words down on paper as well as those who took precious time out of their day to come and educate these students. In your name, we pray.