Earlier this semester, poet Patricia Smith joined us at Shortridge to read her powerful work and discuss her life as a mother, fighter, and writer. Patricia graciously offered to accompany the Writing In The Schools team following her appearance as part of the Butler University Visiting Writers’ Series. After checking out the storied halls of the famous Indianapolis institution, Patricia entertained and enlightened a group of about 40 students in Mrs. Tipton’s last period English class, many of whom chimed in with insightful questions in between moving readings of poems that spanned her career – from her early days as a spoken-word superstar to her turn as a literary darling with the publication of 2008’s Blood Dazzler, a National Book Award Finalist.

After the final bell rang signifying the end of the school day, Patricia was able to spend about 30 minutes with our Exclusive Ink group to start our after-school session before needing to leave for the airport. She recited her gritty poem “The Undertaker” from memory, leaving our students with a sterling example of how to make writing come alive, as well as a call to arms to rise above the temptations and troubles that often keep teenagers from reaching their full potential.

We thank Patricia greatly for reaching out to the students of Shortridge and for helping us to further the scope of our program. It was truly an unforgettable experience for all involved.

Wonderful news, published first on the Butler University website:

The Jerry L. And Barbara J. Burris Foundation has awarded Butler University a $30,000 grant, payable over three years, to support the Butler/IPS partnership.

Butler University’s MFA in Creative Writing program was awarded $15,000 of the grant to continue its year-old Writing in the Schools program with students at the Indianapolis Public Schools’ Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public Policy.

The Writing in the Schools portion of the grant will be used to support graduate assistants who conduct the program’s creative writing workshops, buy computer equipment, provide after-school snacks for Shortridge students who participate, and publish a book of the students’ writing.

“We published Exclusive Ink last year, a volume of student writing, and we certainly hope to expand that this year with this generous support,” said Butler English Department faculty member Susan Sutherlin, who supervises Writing in the Schools. “That was the first literary magazine at Shortridge since 1988. So I feel like Shortridge is back in business as a place that has a reputation for writing.”

Butler MFA students and undergraduates tutor 30-40 Shortridge students each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, instructing them in prose and poetry and also help with homework when needed. Butler students worked with about 300 Shortridge students last year.

The Jerry L. And Barbara J. Burris Foundation was established in Indiana in 1994. The Foundation’s giving is based primarily in Indianapolis, Indiana with some giving in Naples, Florida with a focus on supporting youth services, human services, museums, and education.

To this we say, thank you so very, very much to the Burris Foundation. Your generosity will help us to continue developing the Writing In The Schools program in new and exciting ways.