The Creative Collision

By Derrick Engoy

Q: What happens when creative writing collides with the community?

A: A beautiful explosion that rains down the amalgamation of teenaged minds and words onto the doorsteps of creative recovery.

When the opportunity to teach creative writing to the wonderful teens of Avalon High School came knocking, I didn't hesitate to swing the door wide open. I jumped at the chance to unleash on their curious minds the creative literary tools that I accumulated throughout my learning years (to some degree, I’m still learning). I excitedly dove into my writing toolbox to conceptualize what the journey could look like for them. And, because it has always been my dream to offer creative writing classes for the community, seeing my desires come to fruition has left me elated since we began a few weeks back.

The journey, I imagine, has yet to even begin.

I’m a firm believer that creative writing is more than just delicately dotting “I’s” and collaboratively crossing “T’s”. It’s more than properly perfecting verb and noun agreements. It goes beyond fusing comma spliced sentences. And it dives a little deeper than conjugating words to convey proper mood. Creative writing is a holistic endeavor. And, in this endeavor toward harnessing our creative side, the journey actually dives into a rediscovery of what once was lost. I operate under the conviction that we were all once more creative than we are. The fact that we were created by something or someone leads me to believe that we possess hints of creativity. Unfortunately, through the course of life and our maturation toward adulthood, our creativeness has subsided into the depth of our own black holes and simply hibernates until we wake it up.

Our goal then is to awaken our creative beasts.

This is the journey of our class. This, in essence, is the journey of our lives. It’s a rediscovery of what was once lost. And through various writing exercises and self-discovery tools, the students at Avalon High School are on a journey to explore their “artistic child.” It’s only been a few weeks since the students began their trek to unearth their dormant creative selves from the gravels of conformity, but they’ve already shoveled past the surface and have met hints of creativity with excited surprise.

“Someone told me she thought it’d be a regular boring class,” one student said of another student’s comments.

It’s this kind of enthusiasm that propels me to provide an environment for creative rediscovery to happen. It’s this kind of eagerness that encourages me to assist them in their desire to be more creative. It’s this kind of unexpected realization that creative writing isn’t as mundane as they initially assumed that invigorates me to excitedly come alongside them in their discovery.

I’m looking forward to seeing these students journey deeper into themselves and extracting more artistry. I’m looking forward to the rest of the semester and enter their worlds of poetry, prose, short stories. And, perhaps, joining the students on their revelatory path will help to unearth more creativity that’s still dormant in me.

Happy New Year from Avalon High School!

Students hard at work at Avalon.I always love the beginning of a new year. There is so much promise hanging in the crisp January air as one chapter of our lives draws to a close and new milestones surface on the horizon. Though New Years resolutions are often lofty and (unfortunately) unmet, I still enjoy the practice of resolving to be a better me. My resolutions this year are simple but life altering—the way I wish all of my goals were—and I am thankful for the gift of a fresh start.

This past week, as my fellow tutors and I exchanged New Years resolutions with the students of our Tuesday class, I was moved by the value of these students’ goals. Among many, these included becoming better daughters to their mothers, improving their work ethic, graduating high school, and for some, even focusing on the steps for getting into college. The effectiveness of Sharefest’s partnership with Avalon High School speaks for itself in these students’ aspirations for educational success and self-improvement in the upcoming year. From hearing their resolutions and working with them for the past month, I am certain that these individuals will Tutor Michelle helps start the year off right.uphold their commitment to obtain an education and rise above their circumstances throughout the year ahead. Milestones may be more frequent for some and fewer in between for others, but I personally hope to continue creating opportunities for success, to be more verbally affirming towards my students, to build real relationships with them, and to give more selflessly of my time, resources, and energy to make their second chance worthwhile. In the midst of the New Year season, I am realizing that Sharefest and Avalon—and all of us involved—are in the business of fresh starts and second chances. The spirit of renewal and restoration are the very hallmark of what we do.

I hope the New Year has found all of you well—that you are in good health, good spirits, and good places in your lives. With all the blessings of 2012, let us teach a little more passionately, paint a little more brightly, give a little more generously, work a little more freely, and hope a little more joyfully. May we commit to another wonderful year for Sharefest and its many programs…may we support our students in becoming better daughters to their mothers, improving their work ethics, graduating high school, and entering college to become individuals that make an impact on their communities.

Written by Donna Sohn // YDA Tutor

State Farm's "Slice of Life" presentation encourages Avalon students to think about their financial future

This past Thursday, January 12^th, I had the pleasure of sitting in on State Farm agent Frank Leon’s “Slice of Life” presentation given to a select group of Avalon Continuation High School seniors. The presentation came as an honor to the Avalon campus, as it was chosen by State Farm’s corporate offices as the most compelling human interest story that was part of their “Make it Possible” workshops. State Farm Public Affairs Specialist, Priscilla Orozco, informed me that Sharefest and State Farm’s partnership has made Avalon a winner amongst projects from Texas, Florida, and all over California.

Frank Leon continues to invest in the students of Avalon HighIt was perhaps because of all of this prestige that we were also thrilled to have been visited by Education Editor of online magazine GOOD (www.good.is), Liz Dwyer, who was quite impressed with the frankness and attentiveness with which the Avalon students participated throughout the presentation.

The talk consisted of several practical lessons in finances and advice that greatly benefitted the students who were present, and could have taught many adults a lesson or two as well. Frank outlined a step by step process in which the students could create and manage realistic financial goals for their future.

The presentation was interspersed with anecdotes from a few students who had experience with savings, and even one student who worked closely with Frank at State Farm over the summer. What I found impressive was the fervor and passion with which Frank spoke to the students. They related well with him because he, too, grew up in Wilmington. He understands what it is that these students are not often exposed to, and is dedicated to finding ways to provide real life lessons to Avalon’s small community of students.

I could tell how involved students were by the level Priscilla Orozco equips students for life beyond graduationand seriousness of the questions they asked. Many inquiries were made about accountability of banks and the safety of the public’s deposits, which showed that these students – far from the popular belief that America’s youth is apathetic and inattentive in general – really paid attention to the financial environment that they are essentially inheriting once they’ve graduated high school.

Perhaps the most poignant moment was when Frank urged students to think about the simple expenses people often pay, and to thank those who are covering their necessities in life. Young adults are thought to rarely stop and think about how expensive it is to get by in life. In a conversation with Liz Dwyer after the presentation ended, she remarked that one of her favorite parts of the talk was near the beginning, when Frank and the students were estimating the basic cost of living for a single adult in L.A. All of the students were audibly surprised by exactly how much money it costs just to live in a standard studio apartment, and clothe and feed oneself. One girl shouted out, “I’m never leaving home,” which drew laughter from everyone in the classroom, but really spoke to how difficult it is for someone to make it on their own without certain resources. Frank then took the opportunity to link education with income. There was a slide that listed the difference in income from those with differing degrees, from high school diploma through to doctorates.

Ultimately, I saw that many students were affected positively by the talk. They were humbled by the information that they received, and seemed to take the advice that Frank, and State Farm, was giving them and really ruminated on it. These types of presentations would benefit all students in American high schools, especially in the hard economic times this country has been facing lately. Avalon students were truly lucky to have had a passionate and caring community member come to talk to them.

Frank’s final piece of advice was simple and direct: “Live within your means.”

Additional photos can be viewed here.

Written by Rosie Parra // YDA tutor

 

A Few Steps Closer to Graduation in 21st Century Style

The prospect of graduating next June just got a little easier for Avalon High School seniors. After three months of CAHSEE tutoring on Mondays and Wednesdays, the tutors and I have collaborated with Dr. Mike Ernst and Principal Awtry to create a brand new Tuesday class titled “21^st Century Communication/Writing.” The course has two creative focal points – video/documentary production and a printed newsletter (an Avalon High School first!). All 28 students will participate in both projects and learn effective, modern concepts of communicating their ideas in a scholarly fashion. But most importantly, the collaborators for this course have one, simple objective in mind – to urge the students to write, write, and WRITE!

Luckily for the students, however, the tutors and I are not assigning 15-page essays on the discovery of America. Instead, “21^st Century Communication/Writing” is geared towards empowering student voices. And luckily for the tutors, every student has a different voice, a different story to tell. Whether we’re reading about one senior’s instructional essay on how to play the electric guitar, or another senior’s opinion on teenage dating, we all get to learn and glean from their individuality.

 Through my participation in this course, I have Dr. Ernst works alongside tutors to further strengthen our programming.observed a noteworthy trait found in Avalon High School that is difficult to find in most places. The spirit of community and oneness is strong and continues to flourish as teachers, administrators, students, and tutors alike invest into each other. When literally every student believes in the success and brightness of his/her peers, I am inspired to share in that same hope. When Principal Awtry opens up new pathways for students to earn credits so that she can see her seniors walk in June, I am encouraged by the combined effort to maximize student success. It is truly an honor to work with such an amazing people. Much thanks to the entire faculty at Avalon, Sharefest, Dr. Ernst, and my fellow tutors. Through this team of people, I am truly witnessing “creative collaboration for positive change.” 

Written by Michelle Lee // YDA Tutor

murals for motivation at gulf avenue elementary

Avalon Continuation High School and Sharefest have partnered up again, this time with the generous help of the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, in order to provide “Murals for Motivation.” This year’s art project is aimed towards elementary and middle schools across the South Bay. Avalon students, and Sharefest Interim Program Director George Wing, have partnered up with a local artist to provide murals for select schools in Wilmington. Last week I was able to catch up with Gulf Avenue Elementary principal David Kooper in anticipation of the mural being provided to his school this week. Principal Kooper is extremely excited to have Sharefest come to his campus in order to provide some much needed color to the walls of his school. The following excerpts come from an interview I held with the principal as he showed me around the Gulf Avenue campus, and pointed out to me the benefits that will be brought to Gulf from having Avalon students come in and create.

Principal David Kooper in front of the bungalows that will soon be transformed through Murals for Motivation.Rosie Parra (RP): Hello Principal Kooper! Thank you for meeting with me. Right off the bat, do you have a particular vision for the mural Sharefest will be providing?

David Kooper (DK): Most likely the mural that we’re going to be doing is bungalows 31 & 32, which we’re going to convert into a library, so the mural I’m hoping to receive will have something to do with literacy.

RP: Oh that would be nice; do you want it to have something to do with your school’s mascot, the eagle?

DK: The wall’s a very public wall; it goes across two different classrooms. Parents across our school see it at least twice a day. Because it’s such a prominent wall, I wanted to make sure that it is clean, expresses a point of view, and has something to do with Gulf itself – whether that is in relation to the ocean, a relation to eagles or birds, or a relation to literacy, which is what we’re about here – reading and writing. If we could find a way to create everything, that would be perfect.  To be honest, the school’s a blank canvas. We have a lot of clean walls, but  I want something that kids can identify with and  of, and that will curb graffiti – and I want something in which we, parents, students, teachers, and the neighborhood in general, can find a source of pride.

RP: Do you think that it will definitely boost school spirit?

DK: Absolutely. You can’t help but have spirit, and it’s been proven that when schools have murals, those schools don’t’ get tagged. The kids take ownership, the parents take ownership, and they protect it. I’ve worked very closely with GAP and the city of LA to make sure that we eradicate all graffiti problems in the school and the area that surrounds us outside.

RP: Yeah I definitely didn’t see any kids writing on the walls on my way in.

DK: Exactly. Good things are happening in this school and these murals will help the school and the community surrounding it continue to celebrate the school’s success – academically and community wise.

And the school definitely has plenty to celebrate. It is in the heart of Wilmington, in a residential area that has huge pockets of affordable housing. While people outside of the community usually think of these areas as havens of crime, the Gulf Avenue community – the area surrounding the school – has worked hard to shift the attitudes toward the school’s success and presence.  

Just five years ago, schools like Gulf had API (Academic Performance Index) scores in the 500s – which according to the Department of Education is below basic performance. Gulf now has a score of 805 (a score of 800 is proficient). This is evidence of tremendous academic growth, and Principal Kooper attributes that to the work of Gulf’s previous principal, Nora Armenta, and the continuing work of students, teachers, and parents.

Avalon students will also be able to take pride in their community involvement. Wilmington residents are certainly passionate when it comes to our town, so ideally Sharefest’s mural – and positive involvement from Avalon students – will provide the Gulf Avenue community, and the Wilmington community as a whole, with the proverbial cherry atop their sundae of success.

For a closer look at State Farm’s Youth Advisory Board projects, click here.

Written by Rosie Parra//YDA tutor