Scriber student authors read excerpts from personal memoirs at Cafe Louvre

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Scriber student Kenny Kelly reads excerpts from his story, “The Evil Within” in which he describes growing up in crushing poverty where his mother would bring home a single McDonald’s cheeseburger for dinner, and divide it among him and his two brothers.

It was an emotional and uplifting evening at Edmonds’ Cafe Louvre as a very special group of Scriber Lake High School students officially launched their collection of personal memoirs, “We Hope You Rise Up.”

The event was marked by students taking the microphone to read excerpts from their stories, many telling of personal tragedy, drug addiction, abuse and death. As the students read, there were tears and laughter, hugs and healing, understanding and empathy.

Brieaunna Dacruz speaks to the group about the challenges of the writing program as program founders Ingrid Ricks and Marjie Bowker look on.
Jaycee Schrenk speaks to the group about the challenges of the writing program as program founders Ingrid Ricks and Marjie Bowker look on.

This is fourth consecutive year that Scriber students under the guidance of teacher Marjie Bowker and Seattle memoir author Ingrid Ricks have published their collection of personal stories and memoirs. Published though Write to Right, the book is the culmination of months of work by the students to put difficult times and experiences from their own lives into words. For more details, see the earlier My Edmonds News article here.

The program, made possible through grants from the Hazel Miller Foundation and Apex/Bruce and Jolene McCaw Family Foundation, offers both narrative writing and publishing curricula. It has been such a success at Scriber that this year, through the support of the Edmonds School District, it is expanding as pilot programs in Edmonds-Woodway, Meadowdale and Lynnwood high schools, and to schools in other areas.

— Story and photos by Larry Vogel

Destiny Allison and her son Hunter.  Destiny's story is a personal journey through the trials of teen pregnancy, how close she came to terminating the pregnancy, and how much joy Hunter now brings into her life.
Destiny Allison and her son Hunter. Destiny’s story is a personal journey through the trials of teen pregnancy, how close she came to terminating the pregnancy, and how much joy Hunter now brings into her life.

“When we started this four years ago we had no idea we were starting a movement,” said Ricks. “I strongly believe in the transformative power of telling one’s story, and it is incredibly gratifying to see our little program spreading and benefiting more and more young people.”

“We Hope You Rise Up” is available for purchase at Amazon and other booksellers.

Scriber students and others listen as young author Haylee Pearson read from her story.
Scriber students and others listen as young author Haylee Pearson reads from her story.

 

Santino Dewyer reads from "Broken Promises" in which he relates the pain of family estrangement.
Santino Dewyer reads from “Broken Promises” in which he relates the pain of family estrangement.
Program heads Ingrid Ricks and Marjie Bowker are joined by outgoing Scriber principal Kathy Clift and incoming principal Andrea Hillman.  The student authors dedicated "We Hope You Rise Up" to Clift, a 40-year educator who has spent the last 13 years as Scriber principal.
Program heads Ingrid Ricks and Marjie Bowker are joined by outgoing Scriber principal Kathy Clift and incoming principal Andrea Hillman. The student authors dedicated “We Hope You Rise Up” to Clift, a 40-year educator who has spent the last 13 years as Scriber principal.

 

 

 

 

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