By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

red deer public schools

Literacy pros inspire youth at annual writers’ and creators’ conference

May 4, 2019 | 3:31 PM

For 31 years now, the Young Writers’ and Creators’ Conference has been happening at Oriole Park Elementary.

The latest edition was on Saturday and welcomed 250 students in grades four and five, as well as a number of authors, writers and artists from around Alberta.

An author and illustrator from Lacombe, Georgia Graham participated in the very first conference in the late 80s. This year’s was her last.

“I want to inspire these kids, and make them feel like there’s no end to their creativity,” she said. “This is what I would’ve liked when I was a kid. I would’ve liked a workshop where someone could’ve shown me some techniques.”

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Lacombe author and illustrator Georgia Graham runs a class at the Young Writers’ and Creators’ Conference on May 4. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Graham, the author of award-winning titles such as Cub’s Journey Home and Where Wild Horses Run, also noted just how inspiring the talent of some students is.

Meantime, Oriole Park Vice-Principal Kory Sholdice explained that the conference is less about the nuts and bolts of literacy and more focused on helping kids find a passion for it.

“We have to compete more now than we ever have. Things aren’t handed to you. You have to use your imagination and create, whereas with video games and YouTube, it’s there for you to just consume,” he said. “Teachers and our authors try to think of ways to entice kids into this stuff to show them that once you get over the hump, it’s fun.”

The conference featured students from 18 schools from Red Deer Public and Chinook’s Edge school divisions.