Students pack campus for English Festival
Christina Poe
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: pageone
Conversation among students made a light buzz as they diligently worked on the crosswords and word scrambles spread out on the table before them.
This was not a typical day in high school - it was part of Youngstown State University's 27th Annual English Festival.
Throughout three days, about 3,000 students from about 170 high schools and middle schools will be exposed to the world of words by way of literature, poetry, prose and a bit of journalism.
Yesterday it was the 10-12 graders' turn to put their minds and pens to work as they filtered through various workshops, contests and lectures, such as "Not So Trivial Pursuit."
Gary Salvner, professor and chair of YSU's English department, said the event focuses on certain books each year that the students are given to read.
Salvner said books this year include "Across the Nightingale Floor" by Lian Hearn and "Hush" and "If you Come Softly," both by featured author Jacqueline Woodson.
Salvner said the "big and busy" event is a way that teachers can honor their students for engaging in the literary arts.
"The English Festival is set up to encourage and award students interests and participation in literature," Salvner said.
Salvner added that the festival also reinforces the partnership that YSU has built with area schools and communities.
About $15,000 total in prizes, including cash and gift certificates, will be awarded at the ceremony following each day's sessions, Salvner said.
Darlene Russo, library assistant and technical aide at Lakeview High School, monitored a few of Wednesday's sessions.
Russo said her first year participating in the festival was so far an "interesting and fun" experience.
Russo said students from her high school enjoyed the featured books and added that the event was beneficial to the students' futures.
The mixing of different schools helps broaden the students' outlook on their peers and communities, Russo said.
This was not a typical day in high school - it was part of Youngstown State University's 27th Annual English Festival.
Throughout three days, about 3,000 students from about 170 high schools and middle schools will be exposed to the world of words by way of literature, poetry, prose and a bit of journalism.
Yesterday it was the 10-12 graders' turn to put their minds and pens to work as they filtered through various workshops, contests and lectures, such as "Not So Trivial Pursuit."
Gary Salvner, professor and chair of YSU's English department, said the event focuses on certain books each year that the students are given to read.
Salvner said books this year include "Across the Nightingale Floor" by Lian Hearn and "Hush" and "If you Come Softly," both by featured author Jacqueline Woodson.
Salvner said the "big and busy" event is a way that teachers can honor their students for engaging in the literary arts.
"The English Festival is set up to encourage and award students interests and participation in literature," Salvner said.
Salvner added that the festival also reinforces the partnership that YSU has built with area schools and communities.
About $15,000 total in prizes, including cash and gift certificates, will be awarded at the ceremony following each day's sessions, Salvner said.
Darlene Russo, library assistant and technical aide at Lakeview High School, monitored a few of Wednesday's sessions.
Russo said her first year participating in the festival was so far an "interesting and fun" experience.
Russo said students from her high school enjoyed the featured books and added that the event was beneficial to the students' futures.
The mixing of different schools helps broaden the students' outlook on their peers and communities, Russo said.