Long County Schools recently had a young author’s conference at the Clubhouse in Rye Patch.
The event recognized students from kindergarten through 12th grade for excellence in writing. Long County Assistant Superintendent Dr. Glen Purcell welcomed the students and guest speakers, who spoke to the children and teens about writing and publishing.
Illustrator Laura Knorr, poet Joel Hayes and author Melanie Chrismer set up stations for the students to tour. Participants listened to the professionals talk about their areas of expertise.
Hayes, decked out in a cowboy hat, jeans and boots, recited some of his cowboy poetry and shared with the students secrets about becoming a poet. Chrismer, dressed more traditionally, described her experiences as an author. Knorr gave the students drawing tips and told them everyone has the capability to be an illustrator, it just takes desire and hard work.
“When someone gets to the professional level, these artist are the best of the best, from where ever they come from. At this level, determination and keeping at it is often the difference in making it or not making it,” Knorr said.
Knorr also passed out papers and pencils and demonstrated how to draw what could have been a duck or a dragon, but turned out to be an alligator.
The illustrator encouraged the students to be creative in their work and added, “Everything you write has a nugget of truth it.”
All of the students and teachers enjoyed the three guests and Purcell said, “Our goal is to get the kids writing more. Hopefully, when these kids get back with their friends, they will have enjoyed this and got something out of it. So, hopefully, their friends will want to be a part of it too.”
The students who attended the workshop were Sydney Clary, Mikazha Golden, Shae Kirkus, Shelbi Campbell, Ashlyn Smiley, Madison Smith, Ashlyn Marine, Chantai Thomas, Frank Bleyman, Georgia Plamer, Sarah Butcher and Emily Perdue.
The event recognized students from kindergarten through 12th grade for excellence in writing. Long County Assistant Superintendent Dr. Glen Purcell welcomed the students and guest speakers, who spoke to the children and teens about writing and publishing.
Illustrator Laura Knorr, poet Joel Hayes and author Melanie Chrismer set up stations for the students to tour. Participants listened to the professionals talk about their areas of expertise.
Hayes, decked out in a cowboy hat, jeans and boots, recited some of his cowboy poetry and shared with the students secrets about becoming a poet. Chrismer, dressed more traditionally, described her experiences as an author. Knorr gave the students drawing tips and told them everyone has the capability to be an illustrator, it just takes desire and hard work.
“When someone gets to the professional level, these artist are the best of the best, from where ever they come from. At this level, determination and keeping at it is often the difference in making it or not making it,” Knorr said.
Knorr also passed out papers and pencils and demonstrated how to draw what could have been a duck or a dragon, but turned out to be an alligator.
The illustrator encouraged the students to be creative in their work and added, “Everything you write has a nugget of truth it.”
All of the students and teachers enjoyed the three guests and Purcell said, “Our goal is to get the kids writing more. Hopefully, when these kids get back with their friends, they will have enjoyed this and got something out of it. So, hopefully, their friends will want to be a part of it too.”
The students who attended the workshop were Sydney Clary, Mikazha Golden, Shae Kirkus, Shelbi Campbell, Ashlyn Smiley, Madison Smith, Ashlyn Marine, Chantai Thomas, Frank Bleyman, Georgia Plamer, Sarah Butcher and Emily Perdue.