Parranda!

Creative Writing Showcase 
Samantha Sims 5/2/19 

    On May 2nd, the creative writing department saw its best writing showcase turnout to date. After suffering severe budget cuts earlier in the year and losing its fiction teacher to the English department, both students and staff were reassured they had the support of the school, family, and friends in their field of study. Both readings were full of people happy to pay $3 for a ticket to hear amazing writers share their poems and their stories. The first show was sold out and surpassed the black box’s capacity. The second show was close to selling out. Not only did the audience include people close to the performers, but also alumni and teachers from different arts and several academic subjects. As a creative writer, seeing such a successful turnout was comforting and sparked hope in me that people are finally starting to see creative writing shine after being in the background for so long.
    The audience was deeply impressed with the pieces they heard on Thursday night. The crowd laughed and was brought close to tears by various performers. The creative writers did not fail to show their intellect and progressive thinking. No writer shied away from exposing the truth, either about themselves or society. Every piece had an underlying message--the writers spoke about history, race, love, time, victimization, family, college, death, and even zombies! Their writing took several forms, such as short stories, scripts, memoirs, and poetry. Specific lines sat easily, and sometimes uneasily, with listeners. That is to say, the show was moving.
    As a result of the turnout and excitement that erupted in the department, students and staff have discussed future plans for next year’s fall and spring showcases. Some of these ideas include having alumni read, as well as teachers. In addition, students from other arts might be invited to share their writing.
    All in all, the showcase proved that the department’s future is bright. Its students and staff are awake and ready to revitalize the art and make visible the fact that the creative writers are, and always have been, an integral part of the fabric that is Coop.  

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Lihame Arouna won first place in the Connecticut People's World Committee African American History Month 2019 Arts and Writing Competition! Lihame crafted a mural and wrote a personal essay on the topic of "The Great Migration: Then and Now" based on a project she created earlier in the year for the 10th grade US History Social Justice unit.

Peer Leader Door Contest

CAS Thanksgiving

Coop Coronation Ball 2018!

On Tuesday (10/30) Junior Achievement, along with Mr. Bella, hosted 17 awesome Co-Op students at Health Haven Hub (H3) to learn about starting a business. The morning was filled with the process of launching a business from the proverbial "cocktail napkin" up and through an IPO. We learned about angel investors and venture capitalists, played games, and discussed all the necessary skills needed in the business world. Students may have even found a good connection for a summer internship. Lunch was great too! (left to right: Rylan Mayo, Marnielle Charles, Kayla Bedford, Alexis Annan, Tonia Cheung, Mo'Naija Gaines, Madison Roman, Priscilla Rubio, Tajunique McIntosh, Lihame Arouna, Daniella Bedoya, Julie Francois, Kierstin Turnbull, Karina Rosario, Beyontay Hatchett, Kiana Flores. In the back David Pearlstone of H3. Not pictured Jordan Brown)

Junior Achievement students have business training at Health Haven Hub (H3)

Halloween at Coop!

Windham Campbell Winners Give Panel Discussion 

Winners Suzan-Lori Parks, Lorna Goodison, Lucas Hnath, Cathy Park Hong, and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi inspired junior/senior Creative Writing and Theater students. Click to see more photos (by Mr. Esposito).

First day of school 2018-2019