Writerz Inc.

Teen wordsmiths now published in print, on the Web

By Melissa Turner

Photo courtesy of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

Networking: Mayor Ron Littlefield greets Michael Reed, Center for Creative Arts student and member of Writerz Inc. and the library teen advisory board.

Art students have their paintings and sculptures celebrated in art shows and gallery spaces. Music students perform at recitals and community concerts. Theater students enjoy expressing themselves on the stage, in school plays or community theater programs.
But where, exactly, can writing students express their creative talents?
A communications student from Center for Creative Arts came up to me following a recent Writerz Inc. meeting and said, “Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to have these meetings. Theater students at CCA have so many opportunities for sharing their skills, but writing students haven’t really had anything like that until now. This really means a lot to us.”
The Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture launched Writerz Inc. in fall 2007 to provide teens the opportunity to connect with writing peers and engage with the community through their creative skills. Each month a group of teen writers gather for Writerz Inc. to discuss things that are important to them and find ways to express those thoughts and feelings through writing, photography and art—which then appear in local printed and Internet publications.
Coming from a variety of schools—from CCA to Brainerd High School to Baylor School—the students engage in diverse conversations on media literacy, current books and film, politics, and a host of other topics that interest them. Guest speakers appear at each month’s gathering to share their stories and experiences and spark further dialogue and opportunities for the teens to connect with the community.
A think tank for teen writers, Writerz Inc. meets the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the new Teen Stack at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library at 1001 Broad St. The Teen Stack is a brand-new section in the downtown library designed just for teens. It features new iMac computers, a big-screen television and a Wii. Teen Stack is available to teens only and requires a special membership card for admittance.
On Jan. 10, teen writers from Writerz Inc. were set to explore a different medium for creating messages by joining forces with the library’s teen advisory board to work on an artistic project. The two teen boards shared the responsibility for designing a tapestry mural for the Teen Stack, facilitated by Chattanooga artist Frances McDonald of Mark Making. The mural design will incorporate an image of the Walnut Street Bridge as a metaphor for connecting the community through literacy and education.
Writerz Inc. scheduled its first regular meeting of 2009 for January 14; upcoming meetings for this school year are scheduled for February 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6. To learn more about upcoming Writerz Inc. meetings or to get on the e-mail list for meeting reminders, contact ChattanoogaTeenScene@gmail.com.

Teens talk about Writerz Inc.:

“Writerz Inc. is one of many good clubs for teenage writers to express their feelings around literary peers. It can be discouraging to be “that weird writer kid” among certain closed-minded students. Writerz Inc. gives teens the ability to openly brainstorm artistic ideas with like-minded people. Everyone needs a group to belong to, and Writerz Inc. may fit perfectly for some members of the local artistic underground.”

Logan Davis, Rhea County High School

“Writerz Inc. is a great way to get involved in the community and become a better community member. It is an awesome way to see the point of view of other teens around Chattanooga and make your voice heard.”

Selina Charaniya, Ooltewah High School

“Writerz Inc. is a good opportunity for teen writers to share their ideas, let others read their creative writing, and educate other teens about issues. Conversely, the readers are able to learn from their peers and expand their attitudes on various topics through exposure to others’ views.”

Ann Tyler Moses, Baylor School

What’s Going On?

EAC reading initiative spurs dialogue about issues important to kids

In January, the EAC launches its brand-new What’s Going On? reading initiative, designed to raise awareness and spur dialogue on social issues important to kids.

“What’s Going On?” was inspired by the “Think, Draw & Talk about It” booklet published annually by the EAC and distributed to all Hamilton County elementary and middle schools. “Think, Draw &Talk about It” is a tool to open communication between kids and adults about the important issues kids face and the positive choices they can make. What’s Going On? expands this year-long dialogue through an issue-driven reading initiative.
The initiative focuses on a specific social issue—“bullying,” for the 2009 program—and spotlights two books on the theme. This year, the community is encouraged to read, share and discuss two books about bullying: Letters to a Bullied Girl by Olivia Gardner (the middle school and high school selection) or Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (the elementary book selection).          What’s Going On? will connect middle and high school students and volunteer groups in after-school reading circles with elementary school students. These mentorship opportunities are being developed through partnerships between Hamilton County public and private high schools and city recreation centers in the Glenwood, Carver, Brainerd and Shepherd communities.
If your middle or high school group would like to get involved, call 425-7823.

Melissa Turner is communications director for the Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture and co-founder and founding editor of Chattanooga Teen Scene.