Nearly two dozen attendees gathered at the Edmonds Library Plaza Room on Saturday morning to tell their stories and learn more about the role of storytelling in building community. Part of the “I am Edmonds” project, the event brought together storywriters and several interested citizens to hear and tell stories, and participate in impromptu storytelling exercises.
Begun this summer by the Edmonds Diversity Commission as a community-building exercise, “I am Edmonds” provided the opportunity for the community to share personal stories that represent the joys, challenges, idiosyncrasies and successes of residents, workers, visitors, as well as folks with ties to Edmonds, of all ages and perspectives, including students, seniors and everyone in between. Using Facebook as an easily accessible format, the commission established the “I am Edmonds” page and invited citizens, visitors and indeed anyone with an interest in Edmonds to share their story.
A number of these authors were on hand at Saturday’s event to read and share their personal writings, and to join with other attendees in a variety of exercises around the subject of storytelling to gain a deeper understanding of its role in bringing communities together, passing information between generations, and sharing knowledge, wisdom and values.
“Storytelling is a powerful tool for building communities,” said emcee and host Dick Van Hollebeke. “In traditional societies it was the only way to pass along information, cultural norms and shared values, and it still has a vital role today.”
The rest of the event was devoted to participants sharing their stories, and several facilitated exercises designed to spark creativity and give participants new experiences in conceiving of and telling stories both individually and as a group.
“We are delighted that such a wide and diverse range of stories came forward during this storytelling project,” remarked Diversity Commission Chair Pat Valle, “and this special event to share the stories received, come together to explore storytelling with one another, and share in the power of the spoken word.”
“I am Edmonds. This is my Story”
I Am Edmonds
Edmonds am I.
Here
A student I was
A student I am
And am now the students I serve.
This beach
Has held my babies
Has held my tears
And still holds my heart.
My sanctuary
My peace
My people, my place
Where I often take a stand
To uplift unity and grace.
Where my Mom and I sat
And ate ice-cream on the shore
The day she told me our life would change once more.
My dad was leaving
But my Father he was not.
After 4 Edmonds elementary schools
I am who Mr. Hilton got.
And through his teaching at Beverly
I learned the things I was not.
Not a victim, but victor
With a destiny in store
Because he believed in me
On eagles wings I still soar.
I am Edmonds
Edmonds, I am.
The place where I learned
God has a plan.
— Justine Harden
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
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