"Writing in a Tutor Wonderland" by Aria M.

Sang to the tune of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

Voices ring, are you listening?

In the room, smiles are glistening

So happy to write; a beautiful sight

Writing in a tutor wonderland

Gone away, writing frustrations

Here to stay, new creations!

 I’m writing a song, right where I belong

Writing in a tutor wonderland

In the classroom we can build a story

We’ll fix all the errors we can find

 It’s like we’re in a writing laboratory

Now let’s build a writing Frankenstein!

Later on, we’ll make edits

Back in class, you’ll get credit

For learning to write, better day and night

Writing in a tutor wonderland

When you’re done, ain’t it thrilling

When your grade, is appealing

Thanks for coming to day, get candy on your way!

Writing in a tutor wonderland Writing in a tutor wonderland!

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." by Arzizzle

Jack London said, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club”. I typically wait for inspiration to come to me when given a task. Inspiration usually has to be natural occurrence. But when deadlines are around the corner or I’m just feeling down, I find inspiration already in my life. We are surrounded by so much good, so much sky, but the clouds have our attention. We don't count our blessings but rather focus on negativity. Whenever I seek inspiration I try to remember all the love in my life, the things I've already faced and where I'm heading. It helps motivate me and inspires me every day.

However, inspiration is not only found in the good in our life but also through our struggles. I see our past struggles as the most inspiring thing there is. The will to fight, the will to continue in the face of disaster is beautiful. We all have our struggles or obstacle we need to overcome. Instead of allowing it to waiver over our heads, or repress memories of a hard time, why not draw strength from it? It's a great way to take negativity and turn into something amazing.

Along with difficulties we have the people in our lives that help us face problems head on .The road in not a smooth place, there are storms, horrible drivers, and casualties at every creeping corner. But our passengers, the people in our lives inspire us more than anything. They make us laugh at every tensed thought, and smile after dodging potholes, which is great because life's a bumpy road. They cheer me on, keep me company, take away my fear and inspire me to keep driving. In the hardest moments on the road, they remind you to peer into your rearview mirror and smile at all the road we’ve already overcome. Inspiration is not a hard feat to attain if you look into your past and own life. It is present in past experiences. It exists in all the people you love and admire and it exists in your future goal or “destination.”

“Holly Jolly HWC” by Iurl Bives

(Sung to the tune of “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”)

Have a holly Jolly Rancher

It's the best candy we have

But please make sure to evaluate our wonderful tutors

Have a holly jolly session,

W’e're the best tutors around!

Say hello to Mrs. Hutton and Mrs. Jewell, but don't forget about Ms. Atallah

She is just as great!

Have a Holly Jolly piece of cake

But only on haiku day

Oh no the computers are on the fritz again!

Somebody please fix them, Tutees must sign in!

Have a holly jolly tutor,

and in case you didn't know

We don't tutor on Friday but please come back Monday!

"The Outdoors" by Aria M.

I love the outdoors

But really, I hate it

It’s an everyday thing,

Not payed attention to, ignored.

“The grass is green,” we are taught in kindergarten

When our imaginations come close to exploding

And our senses tingle with joy at every new experience

And yet, the outdoors is simply something that exists

Something that is just there

Something looked over and taken for granted.

I avoid the outdoors

Because its greatness overwhelms me.

I get frustrated because no camera can fully capture,

Can fully comprehend,

The clear layers of the pink evening clouds

Or the mysterious, whimsical glow of the moon.

It is simply one of the amazing parts of the human experience

That words cannot describe.

I avoid the outdoors

Because I feel as if I will never truly be able to comprehend its beauty.

When I go outside,

I feel as if my senses have been dulled

As if I am a tiny ant, released from its anthill for the first time,

Not able to comprehend its newfound freedom.

No matter what words I use I will never be able to grasp the perfect bliss

Of the outdoors.

And I guess

That if the outdoors could be easily comprehended,

Easily described,

As it supposedly is in science class

Or in simple sentences to kindergarteners

Then it really wouldn’t be that amazing,

Would it? I guess

That it is a gift

To have something so amazing, so perfect,

That even our brilliant human senses

Cannot fully appreciate its greatness.

I guess

That the reason why the outdoors is looked over,

Taken for granted,

Even ignored,

Is not because we think that it is boring,

But that it is too overwhelming for the human mind to grasp

And that scares us.

So I guess I think I hate the outdoors

But really,

I love it

More than I can understand.

"Thanks, Grandma!" by Laok

My birthday had just passed and my grandmother had given me a raggedy book about why dating is important. Ok grandma, I get that I’m growing older but I just don’t want to emotionally invest myself into somebody. I’m selfish! Anyway, this was very typical of her. She’s always trying to get me to meet some guy, become star-crossed lovers and get married. Not going to happen, Grams. I obviously wasn’t going to read it, but I do have the decency to write a thank you card at the least. However, I needed her to stop trying to get me to meet somebody, so the only possible way for that to happen was to make a teeny tiny little fib. Here’s how my letter went:

“Dear Grandma, 

Thank you so much for the book on why dating Is important! I’ve definitely changed my perspective on men, which had actually completely changed my life. After finishing the book, I had suddenly become astonishingly inspired to find love. And surprisingly, that’s what happened! Ok, so it all began early on a Saturday morning. I was rushing to go run some errands but wanted a cup of coffee first. I made my way to a coffee shop and ordered myself a cup of bitter liquid. While I was walking out the door of the little café, somebody had bumped into me and made me spill my coffee all over myself. Sticky and angrily, I was about to rage on this person until I was suddenly stunned by his piercing blue eyes that were staring into my soul. Suddenly all of the anger that fulfilled my mind vanished as I was now star stuck by his beauty. It seems that he had also felt the connection as he was completely speechless. It was amazing! It was only then when he swept me off my feet and carried me into the moonlight sky. Yes grandma, the coffee accident was so tragic that it consumed my whole day. Really, it did. Anyway, after having a Cinderella-like moment, we fell in love and eloped. Grandma, I’ve finally found love! And it’s all thanks to you and your amazing gift. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be in the infatuating love that I’m currently in. However, my prince charming is immensely shy so you won’t be meeting him anytime soon. Maybe he’ll get over his shyness in about four years or so, but until then, we send out our blessings to you and are forever thankful for your gift of love. Thank you so much grandma!”

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. No, I did not lie to my grandmother. I simply just told a fib. I mean, I will find love one day, just not soon. But until then I think I’ve shrugged off my grandmother’s profound amusement in my love life. I don’t think she’ll be sending me anymore cheesy books about love. And no I did not read the book and no I will not ever read it. I’m actually about to go and donate it right now. But hey, thanks for the thought Grandma.

Coming Soon to HHS: The Courage Wall

A group representing our 39 HWC tutors attended the Capital Area Peer Tutoring Association’s 2015 conference at George Mason University in October, and while at that conference, our tutors attended presentations about the ways in which public writing projects can help build community in schools and create a positive school culture. Our tutors were so inspired by this idea, and after learning more about Nancy Belmont’s Courage Wall , which was installed in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, this past spring, and after watching Candy Chang’s TEDTalk, “Before I Die, I Want to…” , our tutors decided that they want to bring a Courage Wall to Herndon High School.

We have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help us raise money for this project. If you are interested in helping us make this happen, click here. No donation is too small.

The original Courage Wall in Alexandria. Image Credit

What is The Courage Wall?

The Courage Wall will be a chalkboard wall mounted outside of the HWC at the top of the stairs closest to Door 5. We are following Nancy Belmont’s model, so there will be several spaces on the board for people to anonymously complete the sentence, “I wish I had the courage to…”. The purpose of our wall is to build community in our school, to help students and staff see the hopes and dreams of the people they see every day, and to help students and staff see that they are not alone. We are planning a lesson for our Teacher Advisory period that we hope will occur the same week we debut the Courage Wall.

The money that we raise for this project will cover the following costs:
-5 4x8 Plywood Panels
-1 Gallon Kilz Primer
-2 Gallons Flat Black Chalkboard Paint
-1 package of Alphabet Stencils
-1 small custom stencil
-1 package of acrylic paints for our stencils

-Painting materials
-Mounting the wall outside of the HWC

We are hoping to raise funds by the end of December 2015 so that we can construct and debut our wall in January 2016.

Why We Need This Wall (In the Words of our Tutors)
"I think that a courage wall is needed so that students who may feel alone with their problems will see that many others are going through similar situations as well. I am excited about it because I feel that it will be beneficial by creating a sense of togetherness throughout the school."- Alyssa

"I think HHS needs a courage wall because students who are feeling alone in their problems will feel walk by the wall and relate to other students and find inspiration. I'm excited to see students write deep and dramatic things on the wall that will make me smile when I walk by." -Maddie

"HHS needs a courage wall because there are a lot of moments in high school where students let their fears take over. Having a courage wall would help people find courage to do things they normally would've never imagined. I'm excited to write to write on the courage wall and start building it for other students. Hopefully, other people will see the powerful message of a courage wall and respect it." -Niki

"A courage wall in our halls is needed to help bring students closer together. This wall would help the students at Herndon High school recognize their hopes and dreams and their capabilities for success." -Patrick

"High school can be a place full of insecurities and hard times. But, it has the ability to be a place of encouragement and growth. I fully believe that installing a Courage Wall in HHS will change the overall social feel of our school. It can be an everyday reminder of something good as students tread the halls to their next class. That small moment of walking past the Courage Wall has the ability to completely alter a students day for the better and that is a possibility our school needs." -Sarah

"I think HHS needs a courage wall because it would help people delve further into their consciousness; whether they need the courage to stand up for themselves, friends, stand up to their friends, or just to become a better version of themselves, a courage wall would help that. My hopes for the courage wall are that it will help people" -Piper

"Herndon High School needs a courage wall because a part of high school is learning who you are and what you want to do. Having courage is critical in life. I am extremely excited about this because it gives the students here the opportunity to speak their mind without judgement. " -Colleen

"Many teens can feel isolated, but also overwhelmed and alone. Alone in the sense that they are going through all the same doubts, fears, and problems all by themselves. I think it will also be an inspiring place for people to post how they feel in an anonymous and creative way. I personally know that as an introvert many times I want to state my opinion but am too timid to do so. This wall will help everyone feel like they have an equal voice on the wall no matter who they are. What excites me about the Courage Wall is that it will be a unique project for HHS to really see how students feel and care to express themselves. " -Ana

We are incredibly grateful for any contributions! Thank you for helping us to make this dream project a reality!

Sincerely,

The Herndon Writing Center