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Bartlett High School celebrates Writers Week

Evan Ghislin, a junior at Bartlett High School, stepped up to the microphone to present part of the novel he is writing at Bartlett High School's first Writers Week. Wearing a three-piece suit and red bow tie, he said, "There's no such thing as overdressed, just underdressed."

Ghislin started writing his novel a few months ago, and he says he has a long way to go before finishing it. It's about people always finding the good. This event allowed him to share a sample of what he's written so far.

"This is a supportive environment and I am looking forward to presenting again next year," said Ghislin.

The goal of Writers Week was to celebrate student, faculty, and professional writing. Novelists, poets, journalists, faculty members and students have a chance to share their work. It's also an opportunity for students to hear about careers that involve professional writing.

Throughout the school day, students attended 40-minute sessions in the high school auditorium to listen to writers share their work.

"Writers Week allowed our students to engage with one another, their teachers, and other professionals to appreciate, share, and feel inspired by writing," said U-46 CEO Tony Sanders.

Bartlett High School's Writers Week is modeled after the 20-year program held at Fremd High School in Palatine.

"As a 2001 Fremd graduate, I can honestly say that Writers Week was the most impactful and inspiring program I experienced," said Alyse Liebovich, Bartlett High School library media specialist, "Writers Week inspired me to continue to pursue a degree in creative writing and to ultimately become a school librarian in hopes that I could re-create the magic."

Bartlett High School's Writers Week ran Feb. 23-26.

Six teachers, 20 students, and Bartlett High School's Louder than a Bomb Team presented selections they submitted as part of the application process for participating in Writers Week.

Professional presenters included: J.P. Brewner, local author of "The Trifecta and The Trifecta: Resurrection"; Corey Dillard, performance poet; Mary Fons, performance poet, blogger, and author of a quilting book; Adam Gottlieb, performance poet; William Hazelgrove, local young adult author of "The Pitcher"; Joe Jurek, author of "They Don't Make Books About Uncles"; Karly Kirkpatrick, local young adult author; Jen Vincent, U-46 Tech Coordinator and author; and journalist Stan Zoller.

The Founding Fathers of Fremd's Writers Week also attending include Gary Anderson, Kevin Brewner, Jim Wyman, and Tony Romano, the 2010 Illinois Author of the Year.

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