Lock in for Literacy

We are excited to announce that WHS will be holding its Lock-In for Literacy event again this year on Friday, May 13, 2022!   Windham High School Write Idea Writing Center students will host young adult author Kody Keplinger at the upcoming “Lock-in for Literacy and Culture” on Friday, May 13 at Windham High School. Approximately 175 students from all four high school grade levels will participate in the Lock-In, an overnight celebration of Windham’s involvement in the reading and writing community that facilitates stronger connections to each other and school staff.  Students “ticket” into the event by reading and responding to one of three of Keplinger’s books. The event starts at 7pm on Friday, and continues until 7am Saturday morning.

Kody Keplinger began her writing career as a teenager.  Her first novel, The Duff, became a huge success and a movie was ultimately made based on her book.  In addition to addressing the assembled students, the author will teach a creative writing workshop to Windham High School students. Additional activities throughout the evening will include dance lessons, makeup, nails and henna stations, arts and crafts, lava lamps, and other activities, and a late-night dinner, sponsored by various local restaurants.

 Students will each receive a commemorative t-shirt that they will be required to wear throughout the event, which ends at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday.  “This a major initiative for our peer tutors who staff the Write Idea Writing Center at Windham High,” says English teacher Dara Bowling, who organized this event.  Now in its 11th year, this will be the first in-person event since 2019.  Last year’s event was virtual.  Ms. Bowling coordinates it each year with the help of the student writing tutors who staff the Write Idea Writing Center. “This event is open to all Windham High students, and elevates the value of literacy and culture in their lives,” she says.