Embedded Files
Clay Mcleod Chapman
Clay Mcleod Chapman
Playwright, Author, Novelist, Comic Book Scribe, and Screenwriter Visits The Max
Clay Chapman spoke with our students about writing for Marvel and his issue of Spiderman! He explained how, as a horror writer, he reversed the process of the origin story. Instead of Peter Parker being bitten and turning into a man with spider powers, he was bitten and became a spider in human form. Clay shared the work he has done with Jordan Peele, who used the author's story for his Netflix film, Wendell & Wild. Students learned about the writing process and how an author arrives at ideas, and also the importance of self promotion as a writer these days.
Jake Ortiz, a Cayuga Native American Shares His Heritage
To celebrate Native American Heritage month in November 2023, Jake Ortiz visited the Max and educated several History classes on the customs, regalia, and traditions of the upstate Cayuga people. He led us in an Indigenous "Welcoming Prayer," a Thanksgiving "prayer" thanking the animals, the sun, the harvest and many other things that help sustain a people through the years. Jake filled our large space with song, singing prayers of thanks in his Native Cayuga tongue accompanied by traditional rattles. He displayed his regalia emblazoned with a wolf, explaining he belonged to the Wolf Clan, and showed photos of the various nations that make up the Oneida peoples.
Mr. Mimaki, Hiroshima Survivor!
Mr. Mimaki, Hiroshima Survivor!
In November of 2023, Mr. Mimaki visited the United Nations to deliver a speech to encourage peace and oppose nuclear conflict. He took a detour to Maxwell to speak with a packed house (the library), desiring to encourage young people to be activists and oppose violence. Mr. Mimaki reduced students to tears while recalling the death of his sister and the abuse from other children who referred to him as "radiation baby." He spoke in Japanese with the aid of two translators, yet the students hung on his words, and one of our pupils read a letter she wrote to him about how much his visit means, and she delivered it... in JAPANESE! Mr. Mimaki presented our CTE school with a brass crane made by students at a Hiroshima CTE school, a symbolic gesture of the new partnership between our schools. It was an emotional, educational, and unbelievable experience for our students, and it even made it into the Japanese press.
EILEEN LEVEL, INFLUENCER AND ORGANIZER
In February 2023, Eileen Level visited the library to workshop ideas for a new anime/manga convention, ANITomo. Maxwell students offered suggestions for what should be at this con that would appeal to BIPOC fans of Japanese culture and comics. As a thank you, each student who contributed received a ticket to the con that transpired in July of 2023 at Brooklyn's Industry City!
LGBTQIA+ Author JUNAUDA PETRUS Visits The Max!
In May of 2024, Junauda Petrus paid a visit to the library to meet our LGBTQIA+ students and discuss her novel as well as sign copies for the students as part of the LAMBDA grant Mr. Sarkowicz won. Ms. Grube hosted this special day, and Ms. Petrus graciously gave her time and energy to be here in person in lieu of virtually, answering questions about her own identity and about her history as an LGBTQIA BIPOC woman.
Author/Illustrator/Comic Book Artist MIKE CAVALLARO
Visits the Maxwell Library!
In December of 2024, Mike Cavallaro trekked in from New Jersey to discuss his writing process as well as his illustration process with interested students. He explained how he began in the industry of television, drawing and painting background cels/art for Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Mike Tyson's Mysteries, two popular and campy cartoons. This led to a career that allowed him to draw for Marvel and eventually to create his own notable series, Nico Bravo. Mike assessed some student work, offering encouragement as well as praise, and he was even kind enough to draw an original Batman for one student in attendance.
CTE Photography Trip to LaGuardia Community College, May 2024
Sometimes we actually go out of the library for events. Mr. Sarkowicz arranged to bring some of Mr. Bastien's photography CTE students to LaGuardia Community College, where Javier Larenas introduced them to careers in photography as well as allowing them to practice their skills. Students developed their photos in the darkroom as well as stage a photo shoot with lighting and practiced poses. This will become an annual event as the college invited us back again this year for another visit.
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