STRASBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Strasburg, VA
September 23, 2008


Chris will visit students at Strasburg High School in September of 2008.  But the kids aren't waiting for September to get to know his work.  They shared these pictures of their art projects in April of 2008, the school year before he rolls into town, and we're so glad they did.  What GREAT projects!  Many thanks to Clarisse for sharing the images and to the students for working so hard!. 

In 2007, Metairie, LA teacher/librarian Leslie Bahn and the staff and students of St. Martin's Episcopal School took on WHALE TALK as one of their summer read projects.  So many students responded with enthusiasm -- including and email exchange with Chris -- Leslie began to wonder, "Could Chris Crutcher come to our school?"

Her first email of inquiry landed in CC's box on September 27, 2007.  On January 7, 2008 -- less than four months later -- Chris made it to Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, to meet with the St. Martin's kids and educators. 

These photos reflect St. Martin's quest to bring Chris to their school, and offer a glimpse of what happened when he found his way into town.  Many thanks to Leslie Bahn for sharing the photographs.  CC really had a wonderful time.

 

Before Chris visited St. Martin's, he exchanged emails with students who had read WHALE TALK.  This poster illustrates that online exchange and the visit it inspired.

One thing that attracted St. Martin's to WHALE TALK was Andy Mott, CC's one legged swimmer.  Ford Sutter, featured in this bulletin board article display, was St. Martin's award winning one-legged swimmer.  Art  immitating real life made WHALE TALK a great read at St. Martin's.

Chris was especially pleased he got to meet with Ford Sutter while  he was at St. Martin's on January 7, 2007. 

Lunch at St. Martin's -- YUMMY rice, beans and cornbread.  A true southern tradition.

Iowa wrestling coach Todd McGinnis loves the book STOTAN!  So he created a Stotan Club to encourage that extra push from some of his Mustangs. Adam Maher, Jake Schubert, Kyle Swank and Bradley Swank made the grade, and were awarded their own Stotan Club T-shirts.  Congrats to these real-life Stotans.  CC is sending some surprises your way.  Much appreciation to Coach McGinnis for sharing the story and the photo, and for loving STOTAN!