KUDOS ON MAYOR DALEY'S 2009 SPRING CONFERENCE

KUDOS ON MAYOR DALEY’S 2009 SPRING CONFERENCE!
By: Jennifer Brown Banks



On May 9th, Mayor Daley sponsored a Spring conference workshop for Chicago high school students at DuSable Campus high school at 4934 S. Wabash.

This fun-filled, informative forum consisted of morning and afternoon sessions of literacy focused workshops geared toward teens.


Workshops ranged from writing poetry, to crafting plays, novels, and short stories, as well as other developmental training.

Participants (sophomores through seniors), received tools, tips, and techniques to hone their creative skills and pursue future careers as journalists, creative artists, instructors, and entrepreneurs.

The event was attended by author and magazine writer Denene Millner and other illustrious speakers, including the mayor.

As one of the poetry workshop presenters, (along with Lillian E. Mitchum), I was very impressed at how well organized the event was, and how fabulously it was hosted.

The day’s activities also included a complimentary continental breakfast and boxed lunch, along with fruits, desserts, assorted teas, and other refreshments.


I found the students to be bright, inquisitive, motivated, and eager to put in to practice the things they took away from the various sessions.

It was an enlightening day for all!

POEM OF THE WEEK

RULE OF LIFE
BY: GWENDOLYN MITCHELL


Who am I
except that which
I tell you of me

is not this the lesson
of leaders and great ones
who know that they will be seen
from many angles

from this
I learn to live
my own definitions
set no limits
not even time