Mariya Corner Represents SHS at the Annual GFWC NFWC “Girls Only” Writing Workshop 2022
Launch the media gallery 1 playerThe GFWC NFWC “Nancy L. Galaway Memorial” - “Girls Only” Writing Workshop was labeled a success by all involved-presenters, students, clubwomen and teachers who attended the 19th annual event, hosted by the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Club’s Inc. –directed by GFWC NFWC Fine Arts Co-Chair-Jean Kolterman. The event was held on Wednesday, November 02, 2022 at the Seward Civic Center. The event was open to high school age girls in grades 9-12 that attended schools or homeschooled.
Attending the event from SHS was Seward High Junior Mariya Corner and her writing instructor Melissa Pohl. She was invited to share her writing during the Open Mic session.
The day’s presenters included a team from the University of Nebraska-coordinated by Professor Dr. Lauren Gatti, along with UNL students Hailey Keller, Abby Waldo and Gracie Williams. They created several warm up exercises for the student writers, presented small group formations and various break-outs during the day of writing instruction and writing. Group rotations facilitated the days schedule and an “open mic” event concluded the day.
The working lunch featured Valentino’s Pizza, salad and cookies, followed by a presentation by Nebraska Author Dr. Allison Pearce Stevens. Dr. Alison Pearce Stevens is the author of Rhinos in Nebraska: The Amazing Discovery of the Ashfall Fossil Beds, which recently won the Nebraska Book Award in three categories. She co-authored National Geographic Kids Books’ 5,000 Awesome Facts 3 and three books in their Weird but True series, and has published hundreds of magazine and e-zine articles for kids. Her next book, Animal Climate Heroes, comes out in 2023 from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. She is the Regional Advisor for the Nebraska region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where she works to connect authors and illustrators with other members of the children’s writing community as they work to create outstanding books for children and young adults. Dr. Pearce’s presentation was coordinated by Dr Carla Ketner, owner and manager of the Seward Chapter’s Books and Gifts Store.
Karen Crandall, GFWC NFWC State President served as the official hostess for the event and coordinated both the opening snack of rolls, juice, milk, water and coffee, as well as the noon hour luncheon.
High Schools attending and represented at the event included Bennington High School, Dorchester High School, Seward High School, Grand Island Northwest High School, Gretna High School, and Logan Magnolia High in Iowa plus area clubwomen. Almost 60 girls participated in the day’s activities.
The annual writing event, in its 19th year, honors longtime writing enthusiast and loyal member of the GFWC NFWC-the late Nancy Galloway- of the Fairmont GFWC Fairmont Women’s Club. She faithfully assisted with her club’s student writing contest and entered and won numerous writing contests promoted by the GFWC and NFWC. This event serves as a living memorial to her.
The event is sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Club’s (GFWC) Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs, INC. (NFWC) The GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. One goal of the GFWC NFWC is to advance education and this program is a wonderful way to promote creative writing for all ages. The theme of the GFWC is “Living the Volunteer Spirit!” For more information on GFWC visit wwwGFWC.org.
For more information on the GFWC NFWC or this “Girl’s Only” Writing Workshop, contact Jean Kolterman-NFWC Fine Arts Co-Chair at dk05811@windstream.net or call her at 402-643-3803.
Launch the media gallery 2 playerPhoto: The Group photo features the presenters, teachers, clubwomen and teachers involved in the 2022 “Girls Only” Writing Workshop, sponsored by the GFWC NFWC in Seward at the Seward Civic Center.