OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB AUTHOR INTERACTS
WITH WOODLAND HILLS STUDENTS
BY KEVIN McGUIRE
O
n November
19, 2018, New
York Times
bestselling author
Tayari Jones visited
Woodland Hills to
discuss her books
and career with our
students as part of
the Woodland Hills
Interaction Series.
Ms. Jones is the author of four books and her latest
novel, An American Marriage, was selected for
Oprah’s Book Club. This visit was the culminating
event for students in 11th grade English classes who
each read one of her novels: An American Marriage,
Silver Sparrow, or Leaving Atlanta. The students were
prepared by Ms. Annie Brandt, Mrs. Christyn Coles,
and Ms. Erin Wall. The students got the chance to
speak with Ms. Jones
and ask her insightful
questions about her
books. Ms. Jones gave
the students advice
on success, post
secondary education,
and the writing life.
Ms. Jones’ visit
was made possible
by Pittsburgh Arts &
Lectures, a local organization that brings authors to
Pittsburgh area schools.
The Woodland Hills Interaction Series (WHIS) started
in 2013. The WHIS was created by library media
specialist Kevin McGuire and instructional technology
coach Jason Coleman with the goal of providing
first-class interaction opportunities for students at
Woodland Hills Jr/Sr High School.
“HAM for HAM”
BY JACOB KRUPITZER AND ANDREA SISK
O
n Friday, January 25th, 58 students from Woodland
Hills High School spent the day at the Benedum
Center, culminating in a performance of Lin
Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. The day started with student
performers executing their original presentation pieces,
followed by a question and answer session with the cast
of Hamilton. The day was underwritten by The Gilder
Lehrman Institute of American History, which sponsors
$10 Hamilton tickets for students across the country
who participate
in classes and
complete a research
and performance
piece. The Woodland Hills Foundation paid for busing
through a mini-grant. Mrs. Alicia Scaramuzzo applied for
this opportunity last spring and she, Mr. Jason Coleman, Mr.
Jacob Krupitzer, and Ms. Andrea Sisk facilitated the classes
that helped the students to earn this opportunity.
WOODLAND HILLS
❘
SPRING 2019
27