BATTLE CREEK, Neb. – Seventh-grade students from St. John Lutheran School recently had the opportunity to visit Northeast Community College in Norfolk, where they participated in a creative writing workshop with students from Bonnie Johnson-Bartee's Creating Stories class.
The event allowed the young writers to collaborate with college students, developing their skills, and crafting their own prose paragraphs.
The hands-on session created an inspiring environment for creativity. Under the guidance of Professor Johnson-Bartee, the St. John Lutheran students worked alongside the college students to brainstorm ideas, develop short stories and bring their stories to life.
The group explored holidays through the senses and received personalized feedback to enhance their prose, learning from both their peers and the experienced writers in the room.
“It was fun working with the younger generation. They have young creative minds,” said Alea Downing, a Northeast student from Winside. “It was exciting to see their enthusiasm and how they approached the writing process with such energy.”
The event not only fostered creativity but also provided a valuable learning experience for both the St. John Lutheran students and the college participants. As the young writers left the workshop, they did so with new ideas, enhanced writing skills, and a greater appreciation for the power of storytelling.
"The workshop was a wonderful experience for our students," said Tia Eriksen, the English teacher at St. John Lutheran School. "It gave them a unique chance to work with college students and gain insight into the creative writing process at a higher level. Leaving the workshop, we have a shared writing experience with new ideas to improve our own writing and ignite new passions!"
Bonnie Johnson-Bartee, who teaches the Creating Stories class at Northeast, expressed her enthusiasm for the event.
“We will all remember this fun and collaborative experience,” Johnson-Bartee said. “Shared growth is one of the most powerful aspects of education and the Humanities.”
The event was a success, with both groups leaving with new ideas and a greater appreciation for the art of storytelling. It highlighted the importance of collaboration across generations and demonstrated the value of community connections through education.
Writers Exchange
Alea Downing (left), a Northeast Community College student from Winside, and Zavier Ray, one of the seventh graders from St. John’s Lutheran School in Battle Creek, were among the students who participated in a writing workshop at Northeast.
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