The Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) welcomed its 2022‘23 Junior Board to its downtown Eatonton storefront Sept. 7, in a kick-off meeting that included introductions, explanations of roles and responsibilities, a get-to-know-the-museum activity, a review of last year’s junior board class project and, of course, pizza.
GWM President Lou Benjamin opened the program by describing the history and background of the museum, then introduced GWM board and staff members to the students.
The GWM Junior Board consists of 21 students from Putnam County High School’s Service Leadership class, taught by Rebekah Esau.
“After the success we had last year with our inaugural junior board, we were even more excited to continue the program this year,” GWM Executive Director Melissa Swindell said.
She then provided an overview of the 2021‘22 junior board’s class project, which was a “Meet the Author” event in the Black Box Theater at the high school. Last year’s junior board selected and contacted the authors, made all arrangements, and eventually presented a roundtable discussion with Tina McElroy Ansa and Wanda S. Lloyd, co-authors of Meeting at the Table—African-American Women Write on Race, Culture and Community.
Next, the incoming junior board members were provided a few questions to consider before selecting their primary class project for the year. They also were encouraged to begin thinking about board committees on which they would like to serve.
GWM board member Jim Cahoon helps the Junior Board plan its activities and oversees the class project. With 35 years of experience in secondary education, Cahoon is a former superintendent of the Black River School District in Ohio.
The final activity of the kick-off meeting was coordinated by GWM Manager and Chair of the Museum’s K-12 Education Committee Amanda Vining. She instructed both GWM and junior board members to visit all the exhibits in the museum and make notes on whatever stood out or inspired them the most. Then, working in teams, the students and GWM board members composed poems including each of the items and descriptions they chose. Not only did this familiarize the students with the museum, it brought out their creativity and collaborative skills.
The Georgia Writers Museum Junior Board is one of many programs sponsored by the museum to help fulfill its mission of inspiring today’s writers and readers, educating readers and writers of all ages, and connecting people to the literary arts of Georgia.
-Contributed