Working with professional storytellers and writers, students in a Creative Writing Residency have the opportunity tell their own stories and share their written work with both peers and the greater community through performance and publication.

Click on the links below for a selection of writing projects from students who have participated in our residencies. To view more, go the student Project Gallery.

Under the leadership of professional spoken word artist Will Richey, G/T English students at Travis Middle School were each challenged to write their own spoken-word pieces. Some students reflected on the highlights of their past and goals for their future, using their reflections to create autobiographical stories. Others explored various life skills, such as self-confidence or determination, and then created humorous stories. With the pieces complete, students were invited to share their work while incorporating the basics of spoken-word performance.

Influences  » Read Poem
a poem by Mac
Travis Middle School, Irving, TX
With Artist – Will Richey
Classroom Teacher – Shari Alexander

How Do You Live Your Life When No One’s Watching?  » Read Poem
a poem by Amanda
Travis Middle School, Irving, TX
With Artist – Will Richey
Classroom Teacher – Shari Alexander

Professional storyteller De Cee Cornish challenged sixth-period and seventh-period G/T English students at Bowie Middle School to write creative stories. Some students reflected on past experiences and pondered their aspirations, in order to create autobiographical narratives. Others created humorous stories sparked by the exploration of life skills including determination and self-confidence. With the stories complete, students were invited to share their works in a performance incorporating the basics of storytelling.

My Tia  » Read Poem
a story by Keyla
Bowie Middle School, Irving, TX
With Artist – De Cee Cornish
Classroom Teacher – Mari Beth Tackett

Under the leadership of poet Jim Hornsby, students in Maren Ruehl’s first-period and third-period classes at Creative, Performing, and Media Arts Middle School developed narratives and poems that present their goals and share their feelings about their lives.

I Refuse to Be Another Black Statistic  » Read Poem
a poem by Jamie
CPMA, San Diego, CA
With Poet – Jim Hornsby
Classroom Teacher – Maren Ruehl

Cupid’s Arrow  » Read Poem
a poem by Jamie
CPMA, San Diego, CA
With Poet – Jim Hornsby
Classroom Teacher – Maren Ruehl

A Photo of My Cousin  » Read Poem
a poem by Benjamin
CPMA, San Diego, CA
With Poet – Jim Hornsby
Classroom Teacher – Maren Ruehl

Dad  » Read Poem
a poem by Connie
CPMA, San Diego, CA
With Poet – Jim Hornsby
Classroom Teacher – Maren Ruehl