Wearing "beautiful" hats makes tea time more enjoyable!

Hannah Altmaier and Ting Davidson lead the discussion of the book.

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It was tea time for the British Literature class on Wednesday as they hosted a “literary society” meeting loosely patterned after the group in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Although Shaffer and Barrows aren’t British writers, Shaffer did extensive research on the isle of Guernsey and Barrows completed the manuscript with the same attention to historic detail as Shaffer. “After slogging through British literary classics for the entire semester, it was a treat to dash through a charming novel recalling a time in British history we seldom read about,” said teacher Mary Forney.

Class members Hannah Altmaier and Ting Davidson invited Jane Widmer Yoder and Maddie Miller, who had also read the novel, to the meeting. While no potato peel pie was consumed, the group did enjoy modern tea time treats while wearing decadent tea party hats. The class members led a rich discussion of the book. All agreed that the novel’s quirky characters spun an endearing tale of community and fortitude following the German occupation of Guernsey. We’d recommend the book to anyone looking for a satisfying historical fiction book complete with love, courage, tragedy, and hope.

Cassidy Bontrager

The Iowa Mennonite School English Department is pleased to announce Cassidy Bontrager as an Iowa finalist in the national 2012 Letters About Literature Contest.

Last semester, English 1 students submitted letters to the contest sponsored by the Library of Congress, state centers for the book, and Target. Cassidy’s reflective letter to J.R.R Tolkien on how the Hobbit changed her view of life or herself earned her the honor of being a finalist.

This year’s contest had 371 Iowa students entered in the Level 3 (grades 9-12) competition and after two rounds of judging in Washington, D.C., 23 letters were returned to Iowa for state level judging. Cassidy’s letter was among 17 finalists. 

“I’m proud of all our students submitting letters,” English teacher Bryan Neuschwander said. “The hard work of composing a meaningful personal letter, connecting story to life, and sharing personal experiences, pays off in powerful ways, not just for finalists and contest. The critical thinking and personal growth that happens from participation in the contest makes it worthwhile,” adds Neuschwander. 

Congratulations to Cassidy for being an Iowa finalist.

Sharing from their portfolios were Sam Swartzendruber, Zeke Nebel, Nathan Peterson, Jacey Dehogues, Maddie Marshall, and Amber Davis

(foreground) Mischa De Jesus, Hoi Ting Davidson, Mallory Martens. (Background) Sam Swartzendruber, Zeke Nebel, Nathan Peterson, Jacey Dehogues, Maddie Marshall, Maddie Miller, Amber Davis

Fourteen seniors in Advanced Writing shared their writings and reflections at a morning “coffeehouse” for their last class session on Wednesday. Donuts and coffee/tea at instructor Mary Forney’s house accompanied favorite writings as class members read to each other from their portfolios. Each student also shared his or her final writing project, which included poetry chapbooks, 8-hour seclusion writings, found poetry, character sketches, and even “worn” poetry (poetry printed on t-shirts).

Throughout the semester students wrote both expository and creative pieces. “The class is intended for college-bound students and gives them the opportunity to do “school writing” and also personal writing. I love to see them stretch themselves through words,” said Forney.

Meridyth Bates

Taylor Fulton

On Friday, April 29, the British Literature class took a break from studying C.S.Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters to enjoy crumpets, scones, chocolate tarts, and shortbread treats with tea while viewing the royal wedding of Kate and William. Meridyth Bates got into the spirit of the fashion by crafting her own hat from napkins; and Taylor Fulton wore her special British hat just for the occasion.

British Literature class viewing the royal wedding.