Local youth literacy organization attempts Guinness World Record for writing essays on steps of Philadelphia Museum of Art.
(PHILADELPHIA) Tuesday, July 26, 2016 – For the record, Mighty Writers literacy nonprofit citywide is teaming up with the City of Philadelphia. Today, Mighty Writers and the City are taking over the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to demonstrate the power of the pen in an effort to compete for a Guinness Book world record recognizing the greatest number of young writers writing essays in the same place at the same time.
The students, ages 7 to 17, will express themselves by writing an essay entitled: “If I were president…” The morning event has been planned in connection with the ongoing Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The goal is to reach 3,000 students in hopes effectively of breaking a standing world record of 1,178 simultaneous student essays established in Beijing, China on September 6, 2013. Students signed up in advance for this chance to “write a new chapter in the record books” through the Mighty Writers website: Mightywriters.org
For one-half hour, the youngsters – some of whom are future poets, playwrights, journalists, screenwriters and novelists — will go for the world record during a massive writing exercise in which they create their masterpieces. The essays will collected, counted and presented to a Guinness Book of World Records’ representative or “adjudicator” onsite for assessment. Backpacks, books and writing pads will be distributed to the participants.
The event activities will be part of a Mighty Writers’ YouTube series. The students will show their unity when they stood up and donned their Mighty Writers tee-shirts proudly.
Mighty Writers, a Philadelphia non-profit organization, includes writers, journalists and teachers on a mission to help kids learn how to think and write with clarity. They offer programs helping students express themselves and prepare for their futures through participation in daily afterschool academies, writing workshops, mentorships and college prep citywide.
Scheduled participants will include: City Representative Shelia Hess, the Rev. David Brown, of the Arch Street United Methodist Church in North Philadelphia, a Guinness Book of World Records judge, Philadelphia’s WUSL-Power 99 radio personality Mina SayWhat Llona, DJ DILEMMA and fitness specialist Marie Lanzalotti. Hess presented a mayoral document acknowledging Mighty Writers literacy achievements in the community and efforts providing opportunities and activities for aspiring young writers.
Hess said the event is an opportunity for the youth of Philadelphia to express themselves in a positive way while learning and having fun.
“Mighty Writers provides creative, constructive activities and venues to expand students’ writing skills through academic activities including today’s essay event,” said City Representative Hess. “Many youngsters have benefitted from the powerful learning opportunities fostered by the valuable work of Mighty Writers. We are delighted to partner with Mighty Writers and we would like to thank their dedicated staff for supporting the city’s most precious asset: young people. Together we can follow Mayor Jim Kenney’s vision by continuing to invest by supporting positive mentoring models.”
Mighty Writers’ Executive Director Tim Whitaker said the event is a perfect platform for Philadelphia kids to demonstrate democracy in motion by exercising their freedom of expression.
Mighty Writers organizers hope that this event will shed light on the value of literacy and solid writing skills. All of the students that take part in the Mighty Writers program have attended college.
“We want to shine a light on the literacy crisis, not just in our city but nationally,” said Whitaker. “Writing has power. When you think and write with clarity, success follows. Plus, Philly kids are bright, kind and have great comedic timing. They’re natural writers, and we want to celebrate that.”
Whitaker said recent studies have shown a decrease in literacy nationally and locally.
The idea for the event came when Mighty Writers’ organizers were approached by a runner participating in the 2015 GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon dressed as Santa Claus. The runner wanted to raise money for Mighty Writers through the race (which is organized by the Office of the City Representative) and other marathons in his quest to set a Guinness Book of World Records for Santa participation in a competitive marathoning.
The organization, with four locations in diverse Philadelphia neighborhoods, was founded by former journalist Tim Whitaker, in 2009. It began with just 75 students and now Mighty Writers teaches and mentors 2,500 students annually through the assistance of more than 400 volunteers and staff.
Event sponsors are: City of Philadelphia/Office of the City Representative, Herr’s, Coca Cola, 76ers, The Samuel D. Cozen Memorial Fund, Shreiner Tree Care, Universal Companies Family of Schools, Anthropologie, Independence Blue Cross, Villa, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Kleinbard Inc. and Radnor Financial Advisors.
The event hashtag is hostedg #MightyRecord.
The Office of the City Representative (OCR) promotes Philadelphia by producing and supporting events throughout the city. It serves as an entry point and one-stop liaison for community and private organizations that wish to foster a relationship with the City and effectively host events in Philadelphia. Connect with us on our website: https://alpha.phila.gov/departments/city-representative/ on Facebook (facebook.com/PhillyOCR), Twitter (@PhillyCityRep) and Instagram (@PhillyCityRep) to stay up to date with the latest information on our events.
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