Members of the inaugural cohort of Writing Fellows at Nipmuc Regional High School held a workshop with fellow students in the school’s newly established Nipmuc Writing Center. The Writing Fellows are taking a class structured around establishing the peer writing center. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
MENDON — Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen and Nipmuc Regional High School Co-Principals John Clements and Mary Anne Moran are pleased to share that students at Nipmuc Regional High School have opened a new peer writing center.
The Nipmuc Writing Center is operated by a newly created cohort of Writing Fellows — students who were recommended to take a new class structured around building up and operating the center. The Writing Fellows were chosen for the task as much for their writing abilities as for their leadership, collaboration and communication skills.
The Nipmuc Writing Center held its official grand opening on Nov. 21, welcoming all ninth-grade English classes for an introduction to the space and its services. The center will be open offering peer assistance both during the school day and after school.
“Watching the Writing Fellows build up this center has been incredibly inspiring,” said English teacher Melisa Kinkela, who facilitated the initiative. “They have approached every step with creativity, purpose, and a true desire to support their peers. I’m so proud of the space they’ve created and the leadership they continue to show. The hope is to continue the class and expand the services provided by the center in the future.”
The inaugural class of Writing Fellows includes 12 students, with eight seniors and four juniors:
- Rowan Alexander
- Kaitlyn Allington
- Alex Carvalho
- Tyler Carvalho
- Liam Downing
- Lyla Hill
- Jack Oleksyk
- Maggie Roberts
- Gabby Allocca
- Amalea Lefort
- Oliver Kennedy Stuck
- Ana Tengler
During the grand opening event for the Nipmuc Writing Center, Writing Fellows greeted students, offered tours, and showcased the center’s website and a new “Tutor Finder” app. The grand opening event featured music, snacks, and games to help create a welcoming, low-pressure atmosphere that encourages students to connect with peers for support, booking help through the “Tutor Finder” app, which students are able to download directly onto their iPads.
The “Tutor Finder” app is a result of the coding skills of one of the Writing Fellows, Liam Downing, providing fellow students a convenient way to choose tutors based on their specialties and book a tutoring session. Liam created the app and continues to serve as the Nipmuc Writing Center’s Digital Content Lead.
“It’s been amazing to watch Liam come up with a reliable system for coordinating peer support for writing work, providing a way for students to get inspired, receive valuable guidance and tips,” said Kinkela. “We look forward to further developing this initiative, increasing meaningful collaboration among students in their writing projects.”
Later this school year, the Writing Fellows plan to host themed, school-wide writing events and will begin collaborating across the district, including support for a fourth-grade newspaper club.
The inaugural cohort of Writing Fellows gained inspiration to start the Nipmuc Writing Center earlier this fall by visiting Burlington High School’s Writing Center, learning from the peer-tutoring model that has been established there, including its online presence, technological strategies and organizational approach.
“Seeing the Burlington High School Writing Center in action has changed the way I view peer feedback and collaboration,” said junior Amalea Lefort. “Watching students work together confidently has shown me how important it is at Nipmuc, too.”
“By visiting Burlington High School’s Writing Center, our Writing Fellows were able to see first-hand how a peer writing center can be operated successfully,” Kinkela said. “Being able to envision that was an inspiration for our students as they embarked on this initiative together.”
Nipmuc hopes to continue the partnership between the Writing Fellows and their counterparts in Burlington later this school year.
Superintendent Dr. Cohen, Co-Principal Clements, and Co-Principal Moran commend the Writing Fellows for their leadership and creativity in establishing this new resource for the Nipmuc community.
“This initiative reflects the best of who our students are — thoughtful, collaborative, and eager to support one another,” said Co-Principal Moran. “The Writing Center creates a welcoming space where every student can grow as a writer and gain confidence in their voice. It’s great to see fellow students helping others to reach their potential.”
“Our Writing Fellows have demonstrated tremendous leadership in building this center from the ground up,” said Co-Principal Clements. “Their commitment to growth as writers and as a community of learners make us incredibly proud. We look forward to seeing all the stories of success that will emerge from our new Nipmuc Writing Center.”
“The Nipmuc Writing Center is a powerful example of student agency in action,” said Superintendent Dr. Cohen. “I am grateful to our staff and students for bringing this vision to life and for creating a resource that will benefit learners across our district. Congratulations to our Writing Fellows for their efforts to make this opportunity available to their peers so they can grow in their writing abilities through hands-on creative work with fellow students.”
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Writing Fellows welcomed other students to the grand opening of the new Nipmuc Writing Center on Nov. 21. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
Writing Fellows, including student Alex Carvalho, left, introduced fellow students to the new Nipmuc Writing Center. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
Writing Fellows guide peers through the center’s services, including the new “Tutor Finder” app designed by student Liam Downing. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
Writing Fellows introduce students to the Nipmuc Writing Center and explain its peer tutoring system. (Photo Courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District)
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