Storytelling Gone Digital

Paul Revere Releases its 2021 Literary Anthology

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

For almost two decades now, Paul Revere Charter Middle School has produced a writing anthology through its English Department, and that proud tradition has continued these last two academic years, despite distance learning and the coronavirus pandemic.

The 17th annual Revere Literary Anthology was released Friday, May 28, and although there will be no customary in-person readings in the community, the publication was placed on the school website and a video was created of students reading their pieces.

In all, there are more than 400 short story writers and poets in the 180-page collection.

“This year has, of course, been different than past years,” said seventh-grade English teacher Jenna Roman, who served as the project’s student submissions manager and teacher coordinator. “It was more of a challenge to collaborate with the other teachers and parents who worked on the anthology, but many, many emails later, we made it work.”

Volunteer Eva Karelsen served as the main parent coordinator for the second year in a row.

“Eva and I worked together last year as well, so that made things a lot easier,” Roman said. “The other English teachers did a great job of motivating their students and guiding them through the writing process. It’s truly a team effort to publish the anthology.”

In addition to the students, 13 teachers submitted entries. As she did last year, parent Laurie Vogel organized the cover contest and the virtual event. PRIDE underwrote the costs of the production.

The anthology includes autobiographical narratives and odes covering a broad range of topics from surfing to first-person accounts, travels, social issues and nature. Essays are written on a number of topics.

Among the compelling pieces are “Money Can’t Buy Happiness or Can It?” “An Important Life Lesson,” “From Pride to Pain” and “Money to Malice.”

“I have to say I really miss our Young Authors night, where the students get to read their work aloud in the quad,” Roman added. “It’s such a wonderful celebration of writing and creativity, but we haven’t been able to do it since 2019. Hopefully by next year, we’ll be able to resume that tradition.”

Among the students featured in the video were Zachary Shapiro, who wrote a story titled “Conquering Stair Mountain.” Another was Lyla Brugger, who recited a poem describing what her name means. The anthology’s cover was drawn by artist Naomi Amster.

One of the people most proud of this spring’s anthology is Paul Revere Principal Tom Iannucci.

“It is hard to believe it’s springtime again,” Iannucci shared. “We have persevered through one of the most challenging years in history—many aspects of life at Paul Revere have been different this year, but some have stayed the same. Our staff, students and parents continued to work hard, create and never gave up.

“This year’s Anthology will solely be in a digital format but we still get to experience the writing and artistic talents of our students. Let us celebrate the wonderful creations in this publication, knowing there are better days ahead.”

To view the anthology and young authors’ video presentations, visit paulreverems.com/domain/44.