Crimson Sun

Teen Reading Week Assembly showcases nationally known speakers

Author Celia Anderson and scholarship foundation CEO Eddie Armstrong challenge students to achieve

CRIMSON SUN STAFF

On the morning of October 20th, a special academic assembly in observance of Teen Reading Week took place in the McClellan auditorium.  Celia Anderson, the celebrated author of Love, Ocean and EASF CEO Eddie Armstrong were the featured guest speakers. The message conveyed was engaging and challenging. Education is still the surest way to success in life and all it has to offer.

Many students identified with what Armstrong called his "three F's," which are fun, focus and finish. In fact, that pattern could be used to describe the assembly itself.  For instance, the Drama Club's performance provided many moments that the audience found to be humorous. 

Actor Darren Mackey drew both laughter and applause while in his futuristic alter-ego. "I may have been a nerd back in high school but now I'm the CEO of my own  company," he said.

The band's introduction was energetic and since they performed without a band director, their performance was all the more remarkable.

However, the assembly's main focus was to encourage students to read. Literacy Coach Shirley Ferguson said "Teens have less free time these days, so it's important to encourage them to set aside time to read."

Anderson's novel Love, Ocean is the kind of book for which teens have shown a remarkable interest. What readers seem to find most engaging is Anderson's sense of honesty and compassion in telling the story of Hurricane Katrina.

Anderson said, "Once when I was substituting for a history class, the teacher had the students watch a movie that was set in the 1930s. As we watched it, I realized that they were learning more about the Great Depression than they were from the textbook."

"I had written three other novels by then but that experience together with meeting Katrina survivors convinced me that the one I was really working up to would tell their story," she said.

Anderson found that recounting the storm's destruction, its aftermath and how it changed the people of New Orleans was no easy task. "New Orleans people are very proud of their history and Katrina has only made that attachment even stronger. When I interviewed people for the book, many told me that they wanted it to be the real story of what happened," she said.

Apparently, this request has been fulfilled since Love, Ocean is now part of the curriculum in several New Orleans schools.

During his presentation, Armstrong  reminded students "It's not where you're from, it's how you come," as he spoke of the impact that poverty had on him as he grew up. 

"Watching my mother struggle with having to find a way to keep the lights on made me determined that I would not have to worry about that ever again," he said.

Armstrong then told the audience about the crucial role that education has played in the success he has found in life. However, Armstrong is most pleased with the work he does with young people. "What I find most rewarding is seeing the light bulbs turn on when teenagers discover something about themselves."

 McCellan's band set the tone of self-reliance as they took the stage on their own. Photo by Josh Banner.

EVERYONE SAY, "READ!" — (left to right) McClellan students, Jakyra Stewart, Adama Whitherspoon, Lajaun Cannon-Joy, Ayana Whitherspoon; Celia Anderson, guest speaker; Mr. Marvin Burton, Principal; Ms. Shirley Ferguson, Literacy Coach; Eddie Armstrong, guest speaker.