EDMONDS — Student authors at Scriber Lake High School have published the fourth in a series of books that promote literacy and help these writers polish their skills while telling their personal stories.
Written by a group of 18 students at the Edmonds school, “We Hope You Rise Up” is the latest product of the Write to Right program founded by Scriber English teacher Marjie Bowker and memoir author Ingrid Ricks, who use narrative writing to help students find their own voices.
A cathartic process, writing these true stories often involves talking about abandonment, teen pregnancy, homelessness, addiction, abuse, depression, sickness and death.
“But it’s also about how these students have confronted their pasts so they can move beyond them,” Ricks said.
The book launch party for the publication is set for 6 to 8 p.m. June 2 at Cafe Louvre, 210 Fifth Ave. S., in Edmonds. Proceeds from sale of “We Hope You Rise Up” — $10 each — will be returned to the program to cover publishing costs.
The authors plan to read from the book and sign copies at the launch.
From the forward to the book, students state that: “We write hoping you understand, hoping you don’t judge us — because we know you have a story, too. A story that should not have to define you. We write to bring hope, to show the ones who are too scared to come forth that they are not alone. We write to explain that even when life gets you down, it is important to keep your head high as well as your feet on the ground.”
Santino Dewyer finished his story about being abandoned by his father with the following note.
“I now go to Scriber where I’m just trying to graduate. After that I plan to go to art school or a university to become an artist and an art teacher. I never was really good in school, but at Scriber I’ve become someone I never thought I’d be. In the future I’m gonna be the father that my father never was. My message to you: whether you are a parent or plan to be one, never leave your child. He needs you more than you think.”
Word about the Write to Right program has spread.
During the school year, the program was piloted at other Edmonds School District high schools including Edmonds-Woodway, Meadowdale and Lynnwood. More information is available at www.writetoright.org.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
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