Araceli Perez' story of migration wins National Steinbeck Center prize

Everett Alvarez High School junior Araceli Perez was selected as the winner of the National Steinbeck Center’s “Tell Us Your Story” contest. In her winning story, Perez shared the gritty tale of her family’s migration from Mexico to the United States when she was 10 years old.

Perez’s essay was selected because it was a modern-day Joad family story. It followed the contest’s prompt to “tell a story from your family in which you faced a particularly challenging moment and how you got through it.” Although an English Language Learner writing in her second language, Perez told a powerful personal story in vivid detail that won the judges over.

“Walking through the dessert, it was lonely, it was dry. You could just hear the noise of animals around there. I could see snakes in the hot sand. We spent days and nights in the desert suffering in the nights because it was really cold and the food and water was almost done.”

Perez won an iPad Mini as part of her prize package, which also included a copy of the 75th anniversary re-issue edition of The Grapes of Wrath.

Elizabeth Welden-Smith, curator of education and public programs, said “The Grapes of Wrath 75th Anniversary Essay Contest was a great way for the National Steinbeck Center to engage the nation in a conversation about humanity’s capacity to overcome challenging circumstances.”

The National Steinbeck Center still needs coaches for Young Authors Day

The Steinbeck Young Authors Day of Writing is upon the National Steinbeck Center, and they still need about 100 people to volunteer.

The program serves about 2,500 Monterey County students. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 3. Writing coaches will attend a volunteer writing training and luncheon, meet one on one with their assigned student, and complete an evaluation form that will help with ongoing development of the Steinbeck Young Authors Program.

The Day of Writing is an occasion to celebrate student writing and introduce students to the works of John Steinbeck and the resources of the National Steinbeck Center. It’s a chance to emphasize the importance of good writing skills and also show the students that their community cares about them and their writing.

To receive a volunteer information form, email sandra@steinbeck.org or call (831) 775-4729.

Writing coaches wanted for Steinbeck Young Authors

The National Steinbeck Center needs volunteers to be one-day writing coaches for their Steinbeck Young Authors event. The day of writing takes place Monday, March 3, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. at the Center, One Main Street, Salinas.

The center needs about 100 coaches. Volunteers receive training, lunch, and the rewarding experience of helping a young person develop his/her writing skills.

To volunteer, email sandra@steinbeck.org or call 831-775-4729.

Writing coaches needed for the Steinbeck Young Authors program

The National Steinbeck Center is looking for writing coaches for the 10th Annual Day of Writing on Monday, March 11, 2013, a portion of The Steinbeck Young Authors program.

Volunteer coaches are asked to commit about three hours. Coaches receive training and then they help their students improve their essays.

For more information, email Elizabeth Welden-Smith at Elizabeth@steinbeck.org

Write the summer blues away...

It's likely not how children would choose to spend their summer vacation, but I'm willing to bet it's probable the best way. Continuing their education. Writing in a fun way.

The National Steinbeck Center is offering one and two week writing camps for children in the 6th through 9th grades. Each week campers will have the opportunity to work on their writing skills through journaling, fiction and nonfiction writing exercises and exploring different authors, including John Steinbeck. Week 1 and Week 2 will feature different guest speakers who will encourage students to explore their creative writing skills and push themselves to become stronger writers.

Week one takes place July 16-20. Week two July 23-27. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: one week, $150 per student, two weeks, $250 per student.

For more information or to register, call Phillip Saldana at 775-4721.

Congratulations, Steinbeck Younth Authors!

The National Steinbeck Center hosted the Steinbeck Young Authors’ ceremony on May 5 during its 32nd Annual Steinbeck Festival.

This year’s award ceremony featured author Francisco Jimenez with an inspirational talk about searching for the American dream. In addition, all of the student essays are published in the Gabilan Journal.

This year's award winners are:
Danicia Alfaro from La Paz Middle School
Natalie Rose Carbonel from Madonna del Sasso School
Yadira Chávez from Harden Middle School
Ryan Griffin from San Benancio Middle School
Anna Gumberg from San Benancio Middle School
 Jacqueline Hernández from La Paz Middle School
Daira Hipólito from Main Street Middle School
Julia Hwang from All Saints' Day School
Paul Kunz from International School of Monterey
Julianne McCoun from Madonna del Sasso School
 Jovany Medrano from La Paz Middle School
Daniel Rodríguez from Main Street Middle
Ellie Skromme from San Antonio Elementary
Mattie Trainor from International School of Monterey
 Sonia Vargas from La Paz Middle School
Megan Wasson from San Benancio Middle School

The Steinbeck Young Authors Program consists of three stages: a classroom component for all students, a Day of Writing event for teacher-nominated students, and an Awards Ceremony. Steinbeck Young Authors’ teachers select two students to attend a special Day of Writing at the National Steinbeck Center, where they write an essay combining their personal life experiences and their studies of The Red Pony. They are then paired with a volunteer writing ‘coach.’ A panel of experts judge the students’ works over a two-week period.

Since it began, over 20,000 students have participated from public and private schools throughout California and beyond. Teachers report that participating students demonstrate increased confidence in their writing skills and develop a new self-image as a writer at a pivotal time in their development.

Read Across America is March 2, Steinbeck day of Writing March 12

and it would be a good opportunity to volunteer.

So contact your local school and find out of they're "Reading Across America" and sign up! -- I know some schools are going to celebrate it, and if you want me to list you, drop me a line.

The green movie "The Lorax" will open also in movie theaters March 2, so expect the environmentally concerned mustachioed creature to be ubiquitous. And maybe read from its story.

You may also want to volunteer for a day of writing! The Steinbeck Young Authors program hosts a Day of Writing for young authors to enhance their writing skills, and discover the works of John Steinbeck. A good book and strong teachers inspired himself—a combination Steinbeck organizers hope will motivate students to discover the power of the written word.

On March 12, dozens of students gather at the National Steinbeck Center to receive one-on-one writing mentorship from a coach. The students then have time to re-write their essay. A panel of experts judges the final products, and the selected winners are invited to an award ceremony.

So, if you have some time to spare on March 12, sign up! I've done it several times and it's very rewarding to help our young students. For information, contact Sandra Silva at 831-775-4729 or email at Sandra@steinbeck.org.