2016 SCWAFL Director's Day Out

Members of the SWCA will be visiting Berkeley on March 11th! (www.iwca-swca.org)

     On Friday, March 11th, Berkeley Prep will have the honor of hosting the Southeastern Writing Center Association's Director's Day Out!  From 9am to 2pm, SWCA members will gather together at Berkeley to share and discuss ideas about writing centers.  The event is free and lunch is provided, so many directors and members are sure to attend the Director's Day Out.  Both university and high school writing center directors will be in attendance, so many different types of writing centers will be represented.  The diversity of attendees is sure to promote lots of conversation about the characteristics of successful writing centers and how directors can help improve their own centers.  Berkeley will be able to show off our own writing center and hopefully learn some tips to make it even better!

Writing Center Celebrates Diversity at Latest Eat 'N Speak

Since our school is a diverse community, the Writing Center decided to celebrate diversity at our most recent Eat 'N Speak!

This Friday, the Writing Center hosted a diversity-themed Eat 'N Speak in the Jean Ann Cone Library. Students filled all the seats and, as they waited for the acts to begin, used markers to decorate the colored paper on the tables with what they believe diversity is. 

As usual, students piled into the library to enjoy sweet treats and various Eat 'N Speak performances.

As the audience enjoyed donuts, cupcakes, and more, Addison Aloian, Natalie Bellucia, Caroline Paskert, Jack Eppink, and Jake Meyer performed musical acts. Nick Diaco also enthusiastically recited poems.

Jack Eppink performs a song for Eat 'N Speak.

In between acts, the Eat 'N Speak MCs read fun Dr. Seuss quotes, promoting individuality and self-confidence in our school’s diverse community. Berkeley students continue to impress with their overwhelming talent!

Lost Shoes in the Writing Center!

Did Dorothy lose another pair of shoes?  Today, tutors found an unexpected guest in the Writing Center: a sad, lonely pair of abandoned dress shoes.  If somehow during the course of the day your feet have found themselves without shoes, stop on by and pick up your fabulous footwear.  Please be swift, because the unnerving position of the shoes makes it seem like a ghost has been sitting in the Writing Center all day...

The Force Is Strong at the "Star Wars" Eat 'N Speak

On Friday, November 20th, students and teachers alike piled into the packed Jean Ann Cone Library to watch the diverse performances that are typical of any Eat 'N Speak.  However, this particular Eat 'N Speak was different - it was "Star Wars" themed!  In honor of the upcoming new installment of the blockbuster franchise, the library was decked out in themed decorations, including character cut-outs of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Yoda; a tiny yet extremely intricate Ewok village; and even a life-sized Jabba the Hutt!

Jabba the Hutt made an appearance at the Eat 'N Speak! (photo courtesy of The Berkeley Fanfare)

Students and teachers alike had a great time, thanks to the delicious food, creative decorations, and amazing acts!  Check out some photos of the acts below, and thanks to everyone who performed!

Seniors Julia Peacock and Jack Eppink kicked off the Eat 'N Speak with a moving performance of "Imagine."

Sophomore Natalie Belluccia sang a wonderful original song.

Junior Anjali Shah read a poem about Thanksgiving - aptly chosen for this time of year!

Senior Grace Roman sang "Tongue Tied."

This Eat 'N Speak was a clear success and got students excited about the upcoming movie.  Stay tuned for more information about the Writing Center's first Eat 'N Speak of 2016!

Multidivisional Midterm Mash-up!

The Berkeley Writing Center is venturing into some new territory - the Sixth Grade Science classrooms!  The Center will need all hands on deck for the first week of December when all tutors will get together to help Berkeley’s sixth graders with research papers for their science midterm exams. Tutors are excited to help in every stage of the process from planning to perfecting and can't wait to spend some time with students from another division! Clear your schedules and get ready for some pre-midterm fun!

Upcoming Star Wars Eat 'N Speak!

Experience a taste of Star Wars at this Eat 'N Speak ahead of the movie's December 18th release date! (starwars.wikia.com)

On Friday, November 20th, the Writing Center will host another Eat 'N Speak!  This time, the theme is Star Wars in honor of the upcoming release of the newest movie in the blockbuster franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Come out at lunchtime to see all of the Star Wars-themed acts and eat some delicious snacks inspired by the movies!  Rumor has it that there will even be "Wookie Cookies" and pretzel lightsabers...

If this exciting Eat 'N Speak doesn't fulfill your all your Star Wars needs, the Student Library Proctors are hosting a movie night that will show Episodes IV, V, and VI.

Get excited for such a Star Wars-filled day, and may the force be with you!

The Ideal Tutor

When asked who they would most like to tutor them, our Writing Center interns and directors had some diverse responses!  Here are their "ideal tutors."

John Green (wsj.com)

Madeline Katsarelis '16 said her ideal tutor is John Green, a prominent young adult novelist whose works include The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns.  "He writes plot twists that tie together," she says. Plus, she also likes Green's YouTube channel, where he posts videos about a variety of different topics.

George R.R. Martin (winteriscoming.net)

Zach Diamandis '16 would most like to be tutored by George R.R. Martin, the famed scientific fiction novelist whose works led to the acclaimed Game of Thrones television series.  "His books are very good," he says.  "They go beyond visual imagery to sensory and auditory imagery. He creates plot tension without physical conflict."  Lance Esposito '16 chimed in as well, saying that "the dialogue is amazing!"

J.K. Rowling (plus.google.com)

Mira Rajani '17 said that she would love to be tutored by J.K. Rowling, the beloved author of the bestselling Harry Potter series.  "She seems really cool  because of the way she interacts with her fans," Mira says. "She builds cool worlds, too!"

Emma Watson (businessinsider.com)

After Mira mentioned J.K. Rowling, Madeline chimed back in and said she would also like to be tutored by Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the Harry Potter movies and is now a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. "She went to Brown, she's a U.N. Ambassador, and she's a strong feminist!" Madeline says.

Morgan Freeman (monstersandcritics.com)

Annie Phifer '16 said that she would like to be tutored by actor Morgan Freeman. "Anything he reads sounds nice, so my writing would automatically sound better!" She says. "Plus, he seems very perceptive."

Kermit the Frog (characters.wikia.com)

Finally, Mr. Brandt said that he would enjoy a tutorial with Kermit the Frog!  "He just gets me," Mr. Brandt says.