HHS Supports Big Read Lynchburg
The Big Orange has been a key player in this year’s Big Read Lynchburg, which has had Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury as its featured book! First, the HHS drama department put on the play version of this science fiction classic to wide acclaim. Then our 10th graders read the book in their English classes and participated in a number of activities related to the book’s central concerns of literacy and censorship. As a culminating event, on Thursday, November 6th, several 10th graders gathered at Amazement Square to present imaginative projects based on the central premise of the novel: in a world where books are burned in an effort to control the thoughts and minds of the populace, what three books would we save from the flames? Of those three books, which one would we choose to memorize and preserve, or “become”, in an effort to keep literacy alive? The students’ task was to write a paper defending their three choices, and to design a book cover for the text they would “become”. Audience reactions to the presentations ranged from respect for the individuality and clarity of the students’ writing to delight in the thoughtful and diverse book selections. The students displayed both independent thinking and a deepening understanding of the crucial role reading plays in an informed society. Rebecca Grawl, head of the Big Read for our area, was impressed by the book choices, the seriousness and poise of the students, and the creativity of the book covers. She has invited HHS students to cast a vote for next year’s book choice, and encourages HHS students to keep reading, reading, reading!
The students who participated were Michael Templeton, Kija Ford, Jacinta Wilson, Jada Johnson, Stefan Moscalu, Bryan Allen, Talesha Banks, Zachary Betterton, Linzie Johnson, and Royneil Howard.
Reading is #1 in Big Orange Country! Go, Heritage!