Reid's blog

Congratulations to the six winners of the YWP Farm Project writing challenge!

David Amouretti, Grade 5, Thomas Fleming School, Essex Junction

Callista Bushee, Grade 8, Home School, East Wallingford

Kelsey Eddy, Grade 9, Mill River High School

Saskia Kiely, Grade 7, Vergennes Union High School

Carley Malloy, Grade 7, Thetford Academy

Eva Rocheleau, Grade 8, Williston Central School Read more »

Congratulations to Meghan Santry of Middlebury Union High School!

-- Addison County Writer of the Month for April --

See Meghan's winning poem, Inspiration ... Read more »

“The students didn't want to stop writing!” ~ Lynne Manley, Milton High School

“We wrote in our AP Lit class, then everyone shared part or all of what they wrote. Love doing this in class!” ~ Margaret Slate, Grade 11, Peoples Academy, Morrisville

“I overheard several students saying that they planned to go back and write more from home… the idea that they left the experience motivated to write more warms my teacher heart!” ~ Lee Orlando, Hunt Middle School, Burlington

Comments like these from teachers and students echoed around the state (and parts of New Hampshire and even North Carolina) – about Vermont Writes Day. Schools stopped everything on February 7 to write for 7 minutes, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

In its fourth year, Vermont Writes Day provides a spark for schools to emphasize the importance of good writing skills for expression, critical thinking and success in the workplace and life. Sally Hayes, a teacher at C.P. Smith Elementary School in Burlington, put it this way: “Thanks to YWP for inspiring us to focus on writing. It is an immensely critical skill for students to practice and feel comfortable with. The prompts are excellent, the inspiration necessary and in the future it reminds me that our schedules need to allow for long blocks of time for writing during each and every school day!”   Read more »

GG is interviewed on VPR

Thursday, Feb. 7, was VERMONT WRITES DAY, a celebration of writing involving thousands of students (and teachers) across the state. A fantastic success! THANK YOU. More than 1,200 posts on  vermontwritesday.org (this is just a sampling of what was written; most schools used pencils and paper or a word processor or YWP's digital classroom platform or other sites.) Did your school participate? LET US KNOW in comments below.

Thanks, too, to Jane Lindholm of Vermont Edition (VPR) for her interview with GG (geoff gevalt, ywp director) and take a listen to learn WHOSE 2012 Vermont Writes Day pieces he read ON AIR!!!

 WRITING PROMPTS for Vermont Writes Day 2013 (in the order of the number of submissions on vermontwritesday.org:) Read more »

Watch this guy!

The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum got a huge community hug on the weekend to support the library staff who were given pink slips just before Christmas. The protesters want the library's board of trustees to reconsider before the Feb. 1 layoffs take effect. What do you think? Add your comments below. And follow the story and share your opinion at Rural Librarians Unite.

Young Writers Project is supported and inspired by many generous people who share with us the value of writing and its profound impact on young lives.

Among them are Julie Davis and Bruce Seifer of Burlington, parents of Bentley Davis Seifer, who died tragically at age 12 in a swimming accident in July 2011. In Bentley’s honor, Julie and Bruce kindly sent YWP a contribution from the Bentley Davis Seifer Memorial Foundation, and we are most grateful to them.

Julie and Bruce have been deeply moved by the thoughts and words of Bentley’s good friends who miss him, and they would like to acknowledge these young people, including Charles Myers, who wrote about his grief in a piece that was published in YWP’s Anthology 4 and featured on VPR.net; Izzi Halpern, whose letter was read at the unveiling of Bentley's headstone; and Oliver Marchildon, who wrote a narrative about living in a way that honors his friend. Read more »

On the first anniversary of Bentley Davis Seifer's death, his parents Julie Davis and Bruce Seifer held an unveiling service at the Lake View Cemetery in Burlington to unveil his headstone, benches, engravings and plaques. Many of Bentley's friends and family attended the service. The service was held July 15, 2012 and Bentley died July 12, 2011. The group gathered around Bentley's cemetery plot and reflected on the past year and talked about their collective future.

Included here are Bruce's welcoming remarks followed by a letter the family received and read at the service from Izzi Halpern, one of Bentley's classmates at Edmunds Middle School who "captured everything we had tried to do the previous year honoring Bentley," Bruce said.

Welcoming Remarks from Bruce Seifer: Read more »

On the Hill

By Charles Myers

Edmunds Middle School, Grade 8

This poem was written in memory of Charles’ close friend and classmate, Bentley Davis Seifer, who died at age 12 in a swimming accident at Bolton potholes on July 12, 2011. It was published in YWP's Anthology 4 and on VPR.net.

Once in a while I have a day when I cannot feel anything but pain and grief. I walk to the park and sit on the hill where I used to play.

I wish to have one more day to play in the snow and make forts in the woods. I eat my favorite foods and watch as the sun shines brightly upon my face.

I listen to the wind, hoping to hear his voice one last time, but it never comes.

I cry and lay there on the hill most of the day. I try to remember, I try to bring something back. Then I realize that it will not come back. I know I can still remember.

Something about that hill, with the sun on my face and the wind going through my hair, gives me comfort.

It makes me feel as though he is still here, playing with me, like he always did.

Once I open my eyes and come back to reality, the feeling goes away, and I am left alone, sitting on the hill where I used to play.

I wipe the tears from my face and slowly walk home with a blank expression.

Once I get there, I lie in my bed, knowing another day will come when I can feel nothing but pain and grief. Read more »

Please find enclosed (our) contribution to the Young Writers Project from the Bentley Davis Seifer Memorial Foundation. We would like to acknowledge and honor Charlie Myers for his outstanding piece of work that reflected a mature understanding of the grief process.

The Bentley Davis Seifer Foundation was created to honor the short but very rich life of our only 12-year-old son. Graced with a highly evolved spiritual nature and an abundance of emotional intelligence, Bentley was a caring, trusting, generous and sensitive boy who lived his life to the fullest. He cared deeply for others and went out of his way to assist, mentor & befriend those less fortunate in his classrooms, neighborhood and on his beloved ball fields. The abrupt end to his life on July 12, 2011 challenged us all to live better lives.

The foundation was established to fund projects that exemplify Bentley’s approach to life and his appreciation for friendship, writing, art, music, science, sports, poetry and all living things. It is designed to serve our community by supporting programs and initiatives that exemplify the character, ideals and activities that Bentley demonstrated, aspired to and enjoyed during his lifetime. It is our hope that these initiatives will inspire others, particularly youth, to perpetuate Bentley’s interests and model his community-minded behavior. With these awards we hope these projects will help our community remain a warm, welcoming and inviting place for children to grow and reach their potential. Read more »

By Oliver Marchildon | Grade 9, North Country School

There I was. Sitting at the bottom of the lake-hill waiting for swim class to begin. It was a bright and sunny day with few clouds and a slight breeze. All seemed well and the conversations of my fellow campers created a wall of somewhat inescapable sound, but it was fairly pleasurable. It was as if the wall of sound was a barrier that protected me from all bad things in the world. But obviously, this isn’t entirely a happy story so I assume that you are waiting for the darkness to begin. Don’t worry; it begins right now.

As I looked up the hill, I saw my parents strolling down towards me, both wearing sunglasses. At first, I thought that this was just because it was a sunny day but, when they motioned for me to come to them, I knew that something was wrong. As I drew closer, I saw that their faces were red and puffy and that tears were beginning to stream down their faces. “What’s wrong?” I said, beginning to feel anxiety creep into my voice box and control my speech.

“It’s bad,” my mother said. “Really bad.” I started to run through the options in my head. Is someone hurt? Did my grandmother have a heart attack and die? I began to get scared and tremble as they led me over to swim rock and sat me down.

“Son, yesterday,” my father said as he began to tear up, “George and Bentley went swimming at the Bolton Potholes, and the current was really strong. Bentley jumped in and couldn’t surface. George tried to save him, but it didn’t work.” Read more »

President Barack Obama, has this to say about writing:

"In my life, writing has been an important exercise to clarify what I believe, what I see, what I care about, what my deepest values are.

"The process of converting a jumble of thoughts into coherent sentences makes you ask tougher questions."

When I look at this photograph, I smile because I think of the girl who took it, my daughter Erin. It’s her, this tree. She did not think of it that way, but it’s really a self-portrait. The bright yellow leaves are her sunny personality; the sturdy trunk is her steadfastness; and the sheltering canopy is her kind and generous heart. 

When I look at this photograph, I feel myself standing under the tree with her, the way she described the experience on the phone from her faraway college campus: Magical, completely surrounded by glowing color. Her sense of wonder, still as keen and present as when she was a little girl, keeps her seeing, observing, questioning, knowing. I smile because my daughter, 19 years old, is a wise old soul.

I picture her as she stopped to admire and photograph this tree on that bright fall day on the Bay of Fundy, holding off the press of classes to allow herself the moment it takes to acknowledge something beautiful. And then sending the photo home because she knows we would have wanted to be there, too.

Read the Young Writers Project pieces that were selected for presentation as Winter Tales by Vermont Stage Company (download below).

Congratulations, writers, including Abhi Dodgson, left, a fifth grade student from South Hero. Also congrutulations to

Kate Pierpont, Addison Hadlock, Emma Henault, Riley Thompson, Emma Lacross, Phoebe Gammal, Aliza Silverstein, Izzy Moody, Rachel Chan, Leyte Carolynn McNealus, Anna Cook, Jeremy Brotz and Emma Chaffee.

Kamli Faour

Abby Brown

Abhi Dodgson

Many thanks to Vermont Public Radio who aired THREE YWP writers this week. These pieces were performed as part of the YWP Millennials on Stage I  as recorded by VPR at the Burlington Book Festival on Sept. 22. Thanks again to VPR for its support of students EACH week: YWP-VPR Archives or check out (and hear) the selections here, too: http://youngwritersproject.org/taxonomy/term/2167

Kamli Faour Monday, Nov. 26

Abby Brown Tuesday Nov. 27

Abhi Dodgson Wednesday Nov. 28

YWP Headquarters was buzzing Friday night for the first Slam at North by North (12 North Street, Burlington). And listeners of the NEW YWP RADIO heard it all LIVE!

Despite buckets of rain and flooded streets, 20 people came out for a night of poetry, competitive slamming and warm camaraderie.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a successful initiation of YWP's new home.

Special thanks to Sierra, MC-extraordinaire! Thanks to all of the amazing slammers, especially brave first-timers at YWP -- Ceal, Asa and Jack! And big congratulations to the slam champions of the evening, Maxx, Evan and Anna!

Let's do it all again -- third Friday of the month! See you here at North by North (North Street by North Avenue).

This photo of a Vermont barn by Levi Beavin, an eighth grade student at Main Street Middle School, Montpelier, was chosen for the Photo of the Week this week. Congratulations, Levi!

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for a weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Create a blog on youngwritersproject.org and upload your photos and scanned artwork; click "Photo Submission" for genre. Say "yes" to newspaper submission, fill out the information about YOU, click "Weekly photo" for Prompt, and hit Save! IMPORTANT: Upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

This photo by Lydia Smith, a home school student from Charlotte, was chosen as YWP's Photo of the Week for the week of Oct. 8-13.

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for a weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Create a blog on youngwritersproject.org and upload your photos and scanned artwork! IMPORTANT: Upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

This photo by Caitria Sands of Essex High School was chosen for the Photo1 writing prompt for YWP's Newspaper Series. Read the writing inspired by this prompt!

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for a weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Create a blog on youngwritersproject.org and upload your photos and scanned artwork; click "Photo Submission" for genre. Say "yes" to newspaper submission, fill out the information about YOU, click "Weekly photo" for Prompt, and hit Save! IMPORTANT: Upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

Each week, YWP publishes your best work with our media partners: Rutland Herald  and Vermont Public Radio, vpr.net (Monday); Times Argus and The Valley News (Tuesday); St. Albans Messenger (Wednesday); Addison Independent, Colchester Sun, Essex Reporter, Milton Independent, Stowe Reporter, Waterbury Record, Times Argus Extra and Rutland Reader (Thursday); Brattleboro Reformer and the Hometown section of the Burlington Free Press (Saturday); Rural Route Today (every other Wednesday); and every month, Barton Chronicle, Caledonian Record, Charlotte News, North Avenue News, Herald of Randolph and Williston Observer. Support your local newspapers! Buy 'em! Support VPR, listen!

Week of Sept. 10:  To view or download the Writing Prompts for the 2012-13 Newspaper Series, click on the attachment below.

This photo by Kevin Huang, a freshman at Burlington High School, was chosen as Photo of the Week! Congratulations, Kevin!

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for this weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Create a blog on youngwritersproject.org and upload your photos and scanned artwork. Use the keywords "weekly photo", say "yes" to newspaper submission, fill out the information and hit Save! Upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

2035: Samples from a Vermonter's Journal by Evan Wing

Dearest Fellow Vermonters by Leah Kelleher

2035 by Lexie Shaw

Congratulations, writers!

Young Writers Project and the ECOS Project of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission congratulate the top three submissions to the 2035 Writing Challenge!

Evan Wing, of Milton, a 2012 graduate of Rice Memorial High School for his piece, "2035: Samples from a Vermonter's Journal." Evan will be attending Norwich University in the fall.

Leah Kelleher, who is entering 8th grade at Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School in her hometown of Essex Junction, for her essay, "Dearest Fellow Vermonters."

Lexie Shaw, of Westford, who is entering 9th grade, for her poem, "2035."

(Hear the writers' podcasts: click on the buttons above.)

Honorable mention and congratulations also go to Ariel Salmon of Essex Junction and Jonathan Merchant of Johnson!

The writing prompt: What will Vermont be like in the year 2035? How will it change? What should change? What should be preserved? The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission predicts that Chittenden County alone will have 50,000 more people -- which means more traffic, more development, but it could also mean more jobs, more diversity, more culture. Read more »

Writing Prompts for rest of the summer!  in the YWP Summer Prompts Series:

Prompt 8: Write for 15 minutes. Set a timer and just go. Get as much down as you can in any order -- whatever comes to mind. At the buzzer, get up and walk away.

Prompt 9: If I were a sea turtle...

Prompt 10: Your best slam poetry

Post your writing in any genre as a blog and use "Summer Prompts" as your keyword. Specify which week you're writing to. Watch the site to see your writing posted for all to see!

Young Writers Project is delighted to have a DOZEN amazing interns working with us this summer! They are reading your writing, mentoring, thinking of great new ideas for YWP, planning slams and parties, and generally helping us with whatever comes our way. Click on the title for more photos.

Sweet Ride

This photo by Eve Pomazi, a seventh-grade student at Brattleboro Area Middle School, was chosen as Photo of the Week for the week of 6/4/12.

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for this weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Send a jpeg of your work (high resolution) along with your name, school and grade to sreid@youngwritersproject.org.

You can also post photos directly on this site -- upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

Kudos to Essex High School seniors Kelsa Battig and Sally Kim who published "Inside Out Vermont," an anthology of 59 short stories and poems from teenage girls across Vermont.

Buy their book! All proceeds are being donated to the Afghan Women's Writing Project.

See their YouTube video. And applaud!

Mended Heart

This photo by McKenna Bahr, an eighth grade homeschool student from Underhill, was chosen as Photo of the Week for the week of 6/11/12.

Thank you, photographers, for sending YWP your photos during the school year! You can continue sending photos to us over the summer and we'll consider them for the Photo of the Week series in the 2012-13 school year. Send a jpeg of your work (high resolution) along with your name, school and grade to sreid@youngwritersproject.org.

You can also post photos directly on this site -- upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

Summer Mood
 

This photo by Kevin Huang, an eighth-grade student at Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, was chosen as Photo of the Week for the week of 5/28/12.

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for this weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Send a jpeg of your work (high resolution) along with your name, school and grade to sreid@youngwritersproject.org.

You can also post photos directly on this site -- upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

Berlin Wall
 

This photo by Quinn Bornstein, a sophomore at St. Johnsbury Academy, was chosen as Photo of the Week for the week of 5/21/12.

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for this weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Send a jpeg of your work (high resolution) along with your name, school and grade to sreid@youngwritersproject.org.

You can also post photos directly on this site -- upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.

Farm Art
 

This photo by Emily Sohlstrom, a junior at Spaulding High School, was chosen as Photo of the Week for the week of 5/14/12.

Would you like your photo or art to be considered for this weekly feature on our site and in newspapers around Vermont? Send a jpeg of your work (high resolution) along with your name, school and grade to sreid@youngwritersproject.org.

You can also post photos directly on this site -- upload your low resolution photos in the images box above the body of your blog post and ATTACH the high resolution versions in the "file attachments" section.