WHEREAS, These students were inspired by a visit in 2004 by author Judith Kristen, a Frankford High School alumna who came to talk about her novel, “The Purple Hat Gang”, then returned and conducted a series of writing workshops for the students; and
WHEREAS, These workshops, prepared by Magna Diaz, Frankford High School’s School Librarian for the past 8 years, and Judith Kristen focused on literacy and their creative writing, editing, revising, and grammar structure which culminated in the publishing of their written work; and
WHEREAS, The students in the Guild include Kameela Rivera, Melina Gracia, Lena Abdeljaber, Sana Raddad, Edwin Mattola, Isbelai Paniagua, Caitlin Costanza, Craig Aguilar, Kimberly Cothran, Adrienne Diehl, Enndy DelRosario, Francis Anthony Moll, Chaunnique Thomas, Alexander Hill, Christina Perez and Destine Pierce; and
WHEREAS, Each of these students contributed their own very unique and creative writing styles to this book, including subjects on love, loneliness, daydreams, deadbeat dads, wishes for peace between Israel and Palestine, a family member with Hepatitis C, and light hearted humor; and
WHEREAS, This book is being used in a graduate social-work course at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, In April, Harvard University will be selling this book in their University bookstore; and
WHEREAS, In May, the students will present the book to school librarians during a statewide conference; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia Schools CEO Paul Vallas said he will use Frankford as a model for writing guilds at other schools; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor the great achievement by the Teen Writers Guild of Frankford High School who published their very first book entitled “What We Want to Tell You...”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to each member of the Teen Writers Guild of Frankford High School, Magna Diaz and Judith Kristen as further evidence of the sincere and admiration of this legislative body
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