The Literacy Network Plans Celebration

LUDINGTON —  The Literacy Network invites the public to recognize 16 award-winning local students as they read their ‘This I Believe’ essay during the ‘This I Believe’ Celebration to be held on April 25, at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. The free program starts at 6 p.m.

The essays the students will read discuss their personal credo or values for guiding his or her daily life.

This event is patterned on the 1950’s ‘This I Believe’ radio show hosted by Edward R. Murrow where both famous and ordinary citizens read short essays on their guiding principles and values. The ‘This I Believe’ theme has lived on past Murrow’s famous program in print, broadcast, and on-line venues.

Local co-sponsor of the celebration, West Shore Community College Associate Professor of Communications Jennifer Lundberg Anders, explained how the idea came about.

“During last October’s Literacy Network workshop, members decided to encourage student writing through a collaborative program between all area high schools and the college. The mission of the ‘This I Believe’ essay program, sharing core beliefs through civil discourse, seemed the ideal writing prompt to inspire our students. Now we are about to celebrate the first success of this project.”

Literacy Network participants, WSCC communications division faculty and high school English language arts teachers reviewed more than 50 literary submissions from area high schools and WSCC students.

The Literacy Network, an organization dedicated to improving reading and writing skills of area students, was formed several years ago by agroup of English and communication instructors from the West Shore Educational Service District and WSCC.

For more information, call WSCC’s Student Services Office at (231) 843-5510 or stop by the office located in the Schoenherr Campus Center.