By RACHEL SCHREIBSTEIN, KATIE MARGOLIS and MATT ROTHSTEIN
The publishers of Michelle Obama’s newest release “Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice” have donated copies of the book to the Jericho High School students who participated in this past summer’s Canon Solutions America Future Authors Project.
Vice President, Executive Director of Publicity at The Crown Publishing Group Carisa Hays was excited to learn that the theme of the summer writing workshop was inspired by Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming” published last year. Ms. Hays reached out to Jericho English teacher and summer writing workshop facilitator Ms. Suzanne Valenza via email stating that she was “so thrilled to hear how Mrs. Obama’s book has inspired your students.”
Within a few days, 36 copies of Mrs. Obama’s new book arrived, and the students were delighted to receive them. Junior Ariel K. said, “The Canon Solutions America Future Authors Project has helped me find my voice, and I know this journal will help me amplify it in my everyday life.” The Canon authors have a newfound motivation. “I think receiving Michelle Obama’s new book gave everyone encouragement about their work,” said workshop participant and senior Mariam K.
From left, Ariel K., Isabella L., Jeff Q. and Mariam K. share their reactions to Mrs. Obama’s new book. Mariam K. enjoyed how the summer writing program has come “full circle” after the book distribution. “Now we can use Mrs. Obama’s journal to move further in our personal becoming as writers and students,” she said.
The theme of becoming resonated with student participants. Senior Jeff Q. said, “Becoming isn’t a stage in your life. Your life is a stage of becoming. Consistently learning of the world around us nurtures a special growth in each of us.” There is an evident sense of unity among all of the students. According to participant and senior Isabella L., writing and publishing together “shows that the feelings we feel during our different upbringings and experiences are generally the same.”
Jericho English Language Arts Curriculum Associate Dr. Daniel Salzman believes these kinds of learning experiences are invaluable. “We continue to find ways to amplify our students’ voices and teach young people why their ideas matter. The exchange of our books demonstrates how you never know what may inspire a future author,” he said.
The Canon Solutions America Future Authors proudly display copies of both books. The students sent copies of their book “Always Becoming” to Ms. Hays who forwarded them to Mrs. Obama’s office.
Jericho Schools Superintendent Mr. Grishman emphasized how important it is for developing writers to form communities. “In the recently published book ‘Always Becoming,’ our students shared who they are as future authors. A major theme of Mrs. Obama’s ‘Becoming’ is to share our stories, and our Jericho students did just that. We are honored to participate in a book exchange with her, ” he said.