The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School made history on Monday evening, October 17. That was when 5A students, led by English A Teacher, Maris Edwards, launched their historic book which attracted a high degree of commendation from the audience at the Teachers’ Resource Centre.
The book, which carries an ISBN number, is entitled “Ban-waun Fiveae (Band 1 Five A) Chapter 5: a compilation of stories we didn’t want to write”. The young writers are from Studio 7, Ms. Edwards’ classroom. The book became a work in progress in 2013 when she shared her vision of her classroom becoming a studio – and the students “bringing literature to life by writing and publishing their own stories straight from the heart”.
Dr. Linda M. Banks, who chaired the ceremony, described the launch of the book “as a landmark event.” She continued: “It has taken my breath away. Ms. Edwards, we salute you and all the teachers who have gone outside the box; stretched our children’s minds and given them experiences that don’t come in textbooks, that enrich their lives and experiences which they can pass on to their children and generations yet unborn.”
The Department of Youth and Culture, the full sponsor of the book, was represented at the event by Ms. Shellya Rogers. She said the Director of the Department, Mr. Bren Romney, had undertaken to finance the printing of the book in the United States. “I think this is a true picture of how important it is for the Department of Youth and Culture to support and participate in matters of this magnitude,” she told her listeners. “Our support is two-fold. This is a perfect opportunity to engage in and support youth expressions, and it gives us a chance to celebrate the great work our youth is doing. From a culture and arts perspective, this project adds to a great body of literary work that already exists in Anguilla.”
Deputy Principal and English Teacher, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, told the young authors: “I must say that this moment would not have been possible without the steadfastness and the optimism of Ms. Maris Edwards. For those qualities, she must be doubly applauded. It is not easy to get a group of young people, with headstrong natures of their own, to share a vision and much less to engage in the onerous activity of writing this book.” She commended Ms. Edwards and the students for their excellent work.
Ms. Edwards, Director of Studio 7, and Editor of Chapter 5, reflected on the work of the students and her own efforts to involve them in producing the book. She was pleased with the outcome and the support she, and the some 28 students involved in the literary work, had received from everyone.
