Georgia Writers Museum’s Junior Board of Directors is comprised of high school students. They work together for one school year learning leadership skills and soft skills to help them in their post-high school lives. Together, each Junior Board class brainstorms and brings to fruition a class project – for students, by students. Take a look below at each class’s remarkable work!
From Page to Museum: An Evening with Nic Stone
Class of ’26
Join us for an evening of art, community, and fun on February 27th from 6:00 – 8:00pm.
First, enjoy a student-created visual/graphic installation inspired by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone! Then, experience Stone’s writing firsthand by listening to her discuss her bestselling work. Following this is a student-moderated conversation and audience Q&A. And remember, you can also get your own copy of her book signed by the author herself after the program! We hope to see you there for this unique and uplifting evening.
Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her adorable little family on most social media platforms.
Her books, especially Dear Martin (2017), have been challenged and banned due to their honest, realistic portrayal of issues like racism and systematic injustice in America.
Class of ’25
The Junior Board worked with local photographer and host of PBS’ View Finders Chris Greer to bring artwork from his latest book, Naturally Georgia: From the Mountains to the Coast, to the Georgia Writers Museum. To enhance the art exhibit and talk, the Junior Board hosted a silent auction composed of PCCSS student artwork inspired by Greer’s photography.
Students connected with Greer directly, via email to arrange which of his photographs would be on exhibit and best to inspire their artist peers. Then, they led a campaign to tell fellow students about the art exhibit – including how to enter, entry rules, and follow up from the silent auction. They designed the flyers and graphics in-house.
They set deadlines and collected artwork from approximately 30 students and transported it to GWM. The Junior Board installed the artwork throughout the museum, along with labels describing the artists’ inspiration and thought-process behind each piece. They organized bid sheets and set prices for each work of art.
They sold over 80 tickets to the their event, which they titled “Framing Futures.”
Students worked with GWM chef to prepare Georgia-inspired appetizers for guests, and a group of students created specialty mocktails for the event.
Class of ’24
The Junior Board worked very hard to bring cookbook authors Chefs Matt and Tia Raiford to PCCHS for a Black History Month event around their cookbook Bress ‘n’ Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth-Generation Farmer. The students read and researched the book, its recipes and histories.
They exchanged emails and had a Zoom call with the Chefs. They partnered with the PCCSS Culinary Department and worked with another local Chef who would provide tastings for their guests. They sold approximately 50 tickets and were on their way to a sold-out event with 60 guests + their class and the culinary class for a total of 80 attendees.
However, Chefs Raiford cancelled the event. But they cancelled by emailing one of GWM’s board members and never contacting the students. The students, Mrs. Esau, and everyone at GWM is, as you can imagine, very disappointed about this (which is an understatement).
Mrs. Esau handled this situation with the utmost professionalism and had a very engaging and insightful conversation with her students. The students shared their reactions and careful analysis of the situation with GWM Board Members. I know GWM’s Board echoes the sentiments about the great maturity and thoughtful conversation that each student demonstrated during this meeting. While disappointed and (justifiably) angry about the outcome they took the opportunity to find the silver lining by learning lessons in communication, transparency, respecting each other’s time and commitment, and as they say, “not ghosting” each other. These are lessons that will serve them well in their post-secondary careers and will have a meaningful impact that lasts much longer than the excitement of hosting a successful event (though we wish that happened too).
Class of ’23
GWM Junior Board & their 5th grade Trail Blazer buddies are partnering are bringing to life everyone’s favorite school event… the book fair!
Book Fair LIVE & DRIVE will bring 14 children’s books to life as students host an interactive event for nearly 100 primary school students to enjoy.
Primary school students and their teachers will interact with story characters, hear readings, and watch performances from select authors, purchase books, and even get the chance to win a special raffle at the book fair.
Junior Board student organizers are lookin for “Book Angels” to donate $20 to ensure that all primary school visitors will leave the event with a brand-new signed book of their own!
