Members of the Creative Writing Club gathered for their final meeting in English teacher Tara Deleon’s room on May 1 to share stories. They bid farewell to a cherished chapter of literary exploration.
As the members of the Creative Writing Club joined together in Deleon’s room for their last meeting of the year, there were nothing but smiles: in honor of senior Alexis Avila Hernandez, a senior member who would soon be moving on to new experiences after graduation, the club decided to celebrate in style. The usual groove of sharing stories took a break as the room buzzed with laughter and excitement, fueled by the promise of games and treats.
“It’s very exciting to me, like the environment over the years that’s changed every time; it’s just something new to experience,” Avila Herandez said.
Getting through the second semester was a challenge for the Creative Writing Club, as the busy schedules of drama students, in particular, pulled members in different directions. With many members also involved in theater productions, finding time to meet became a balancing act. Yet, through the rehearsals and performances, the club remained steady in its commitment to creativity and a family-like group.
“I joined the Creative Writing Club at the start of this semester. I just wanted to have an opportunity to be able to work on my writing. It also seemed like a fun place to connect with others,” Gavin Roster, a sophomore, said.
In the second semester, the Creative Writing Club stood strong to form an even more secure group of writers. Part of the experience involves sharing one’s writing with the group and receiving constructive criticism.
“Firstly, it’s a bit scary because you don’t know what they’re gonna say to you, but they show you what you’re gonna need to do, or what you need to improve on, and be constructive with it, so it helps a lot,” Roster said.
The club also hoped to showcase its members’ writing.
“Our goal was to have more open mic nights, and we’ve gone from having none to having two. So I think this is our first step,” Deleon said.
According to Deleon, the season for the Creative Writing Club will be remembered for remarkable growth and achievements, reflecting the dedication and talent of its members. From humble beginnings, the club elevated its presence in the school community, transitioning from organizing zero open mic nights to successfully hosting two evenings of spoken word and storytelling.
“This year, we tried our hand at spoken word again, because it’s been a very long time,” Deleon said.
This expansion not only provided a place for members to show their literary skills but also gave a supportive place for creative expression.
Also, the club’s participation in the Upstate Eight Literary Festival came through with commendable results, with juniors Ariella Correa earning an Honorable Mention in poetry and Ruby Alvarez receiving an Honorable Mention in short story.
These accomplishments not only celebrated the individual achievements of Correa and Alvarez but also served as a testament to the creativity that bloomed within the Creative Writing Club.
“So this year, I figured we’d be even better. We did not place, however, we did get two honorable mentions, and those were in the short story category, which we’ve never done before,” Deleon said while reflecting on progress at UEC this year.
