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Feb. 22, 2006

Barron Arts Center Presents Readings, Awards on 5 Evenings Starting Feb. 21

 WOODBRIDGE – Thanks to a unique language arts program that grooms aspiring student writers, the literary arts will be alive and well in Woodbridge for at least another generation.

One hundred seven Woodbridge Township School District students spanning grades K-12 will read their original creative work over the course of five “An Evening with Young Writers” events at the Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave. in Woodbridge. Middle school and high school students will be featured Feb. 21, with elementary students appearing Feb. 23, 27, 28 and Mar. 2. Each evening begins at 7 p.m.

Each student receives a special Mayor’s Citation from Woodbridge Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “ Woodbridge has a strong and diverse artistic heritage, especially in the realm of literature,” says Pelzman. “This is an excellent way to keep that tradition healthy and active.”

The Young Writers program is administered by Christina Vreeland, Supervisor of English/Writing/Media Centers for Woodbridge Township School District. “Every one of the district’s 24 schools are represented,” says Vreeland. “The pieces include essays, poems, stories, even pop-up books. It’s a great variety of literary expression and a wonderful experience for the students when they get to read their work before a live audience.” The pieces are also published in the school district’s annual literary magazine Rainbow Express: The Writers' Magazine of Woodbridge Township.

The Evenings with Young Writers series is one of a number of literary events hosted throughout the year by the Barron Arts Center. “We’ve been hosting PoetsWednesday since 1978,” says Cynthia Knight, the Center’s Executive Director. “It is the longest-running poetry series in New Jersey and draws poets from all over New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania and New York state. Hopefully, some of these students will grow up to read at PoetsWednesday and keep our local literary tradition flourishing.”