16th Annual Young Authors Celebration
William Carey University has made a home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for almost 50 years. It all began in 1976, when Carey More than 150 elementary students gathered at William Carey University on Feb. 9 for the annual Young Authors Celebration.
The day got started with an opening rally at King Student Center. It featured an inspirational speech from Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal, a magic show by Rev. David Hayes of Union Baptist Church in Mize, introductions of the professional writers teaching later in break-out sessions, and the traditional “WE ARE AUTHORS!” cheer.
Dr. Christina Liverett, assistant professor in WCU’s School of Education, has been involved in the Young Authors Celebration for almost two decades.
“COVID shut us down for a few years, but we are back. This is our 16th Young Authors Celebration and I think it’s going to continue to grow and blossom. This year, we had students on campus from Purvis Lower Elementary, Taylorsville Christian School, East Jones Elementary and the 3-D School in Petal,” Liverett said.
“They all brought literary pieces they wrote in their classrooms – and they were ready to meet with professional writers and illustrators. Their work could be anything from a story, to a poem, to a rap song. Anything that cultivates a love of writing. Our adult writers shared ideas, helped with writing exercises, talked about the publishing process, and answered questions.”
The presenters who worked with visiting students in break-out sessions are well-known in Mississippi – Adam Trest, Derrion Arrington, Teri Knight, Sarah Frances Hardy, Mekael Black, Tally Scully, Rebecca Giles, Kathy Young, David Walker and Stephanie Box.
One of them, Derrion Arrington, attended a Young Authors Celebration as a child.
“Derrion was a sixth-grade student of mine when I taught at Mason Elementary School. He was in my writers club and I brought them to William Carey for the very first Young Authors Celebration. That’s what I hope to see in the students who attended this year’s event. I hope it will spark an interest in writing and, one day, I’ll be inviting them back as a presenter.”
Today, Derrion Arrington is a historian at Hinds Community College – and the March 13, 2006, newspaper photo of him and his classmates at WCU’s Young Authors Celebration is saved to his phone’s camera roll.
“Eighteen years ago, Ms. Liverett wanted to get a group of students together and, essentially, turn us into authors at a very young age. It’s a joy to see these kids now, doing what I was doing all those years ago,” Arrington said.
“I want all them to follow their passion, whether it’s writing or something else. They can make money doing it and be great contributors to society. I always go into these situations telling them that, if you love what you’re doing, you can do whatever you want. It won’t even feel like work anymore.”