Poets, authors help Grayslake Central celebrate writing

The third annual Writers Week at Grayslake Central High School was in full creative mode Wednesday.

While students listened to original humorous poetry in the school auditorium, recited by Chicago poet and author Shanny Jean Maney, others were in a nearby classroom sitting in a circle, eating pizza and crafting their own verses under the direction of Chicago's "unofficial poet laureate," Kevin Coval.

Poetry isn't the only kind of writing Grayslake Central is celebrating this week. The goal of Writer's Week is to expose students to the power of writing in all its forms, said Carl Hauck, GCHS English teacher and journalism adviser.

Professional authors, journalists, poets and songwriters are discussing their career journeys and sharing their work with students in auditorium presentations and classroom workshops.

"It's reached a group of kids that don't get as much attention as others," said English teacher Kevin Farrell.

Students and the public are encouraged to attend theater presentations by authors such as novelist Patricia McCormick, a two-time National Book Award finalist; journalist and Grayslake Central alumnus Danny Yadron of The Wall Street Journal; Lori and Wayne Earl, whose daughter, Esther, was an avid blogger and inspiration for the movie "The Fault In Our Stars"; and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Matthew Santos, of Chicago.

They are four of at least 14 professional writers sharing their stories this week. For more information visit www.gchsww.com.