Hello! My name is Jonny. I am a senior at Seaholm High School and have absolutely loved my experiences in English throughout my journey. The impact on me from my teachers and the curriculum has been immeasurable, including improving my writing skills to prepare me for both major essays I’ve had to write and even for the SAT, while also improving my public speaking and debating skills through seminars. For example, my English-Social Justice class educated me about the US and its problems dealing with poverty and taught me how to respectfully speak to others in seminars about their opinions on these national issues. In my other English classes, I was able to hone my writing skills, which I put to use during my seemingly endless college essay writing over the summer and fall. The English department here at Seaholm has heavily supported me through my journey of language arts over the past 4 years.

English class at Seaholm is something I look forward to every day. The Seaholm English department manages to deliver unique and compelling content to every class period. Whether fiction or nonfiction, the types of genres read in my English classes are very notable and intriguing. Along with these readings are in-depth essays that stimulate my reasoning and analysis of the text. Throughout my years at Seaholm, I have learned how to become a powerful writer, making sure that my usage of words is effective yet concise. In English class, I have not only learned how to develop my literacy skills but also learned how to converse in deep, thoughtful seminars. Especially in today's digital world, students are so attracted to their devices that it feels like they are disconnected from their community and reality. Seminars engage me very profoundly, and bring classes closer together through the power of conversation. The Seaholm English Department implements these student-led seminars across each grade level and respective classes. Seminars allow students to learn together and not from just a teacher. By discussing books and articles, I get a better understanding of the class material as well as other student perspectives. I strongly feel that Seaholm's English curriculum has challenged and helped me learn more about myself and the world around me. 

At Seaholm, I’ve noticed that, primarily in seminars, we’re invited to interact with pieces more subjectively, as we’re not trying to pin down a single correct answer. There’s always room for discussion and personal interpretations, which I think is perfect, since literature is never objective. I might read a passage and jot down a few notes, thinking it would be good material for conversation; it would be good to receive someone else’s view, to get someone else’s opinion. Sometimes my entire perspective on a piece changes, sometimes I’m suddenly interested in something previously dull, and sometimes my pre-existing opinions vanish altogether, replaced by new respect for an author, work, book, or an entire genre.