Eleven students at Lloyde Continuation High School in Lawndale are officially published authors.
Sharifa Norris and the participants of Lloyde’s creative writing class elective have collaborated with the I AM Project for Literacy Program to produce “Spare Change Vol. II,” a collection of poems, short stories and narratives.
The authors penned nine pieces for the book, which was recognized Wednesday during their first book signing at Centinela Valley’s Center for Arts. They were joined by family, administrators and members of the local community, including Lawndale Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles.
Pullen-Miles said he was proud of the students, noting that literacy and creative writing is important to the growth and development of the community.
“You always have these creative thoughts in your mind but once you put it down on paper and make it something tangible, your views are becoming a reality,” Pullen-Miles said. “And to become a published author is really big accomplishment.”
The book, which is now available through Barnes & Noble and Kindle, is the second installment of the literacy project which partners with local South Bay high schools to promote creative writing and self-expression in the classroom.
Michael McGrew, founder of the I AM Project, had previously worked with the Challenging Minds Academy in Carson to produce the first installment of “Spare Change.” He said the project will continue for a third volume with students from Inglewood, with plans to expand across the U.S.
“Our goal is to give students a few nuggets to develop their own learning process and eradicate fear,” McGrew said. “It’s a non traditional approach but it’s really working.”
Despite assurance from McGrew, Norris said her students were initially skeptical about McGrew’s promise of getting published.
“I probably said it every time I saw them but they wouldn’t believe it when they saw it. And now they have the tangible evidence in their hands,” Norris said. “Now they’re more empowered to write and they know that if they want to write they can. It’s good to see them come full circle.”
Quintell Kirkwood, a 17-year-old junior at Lloyde High wrote the poem “My Friend, Mr. Ego,” for the book, which he performed during Wednesday’s book signing.
An aspiring hip-hop artist, Kirkwood said the class has given him freedom through words.
“I was in a negative state before I joined the class,” Kirkwood said. “This gave me incentive. Now I have something to work towards.”
