Junior Hazel King often finds it difficult to focus during creative writing class.
     Her mind wanders and her concentration fades – mostly in part to the hectic pace of the school day.
     But on one day in mid-October, King focused entirely on the writing process.
     King was one of six Upper School students who had the unique opportunity to attend workshops at the James River Writers Conference held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.
     “At the workshop  we were in an environment completely separated from the everyday,” King said. “Everyone in the workshop was so passionate and so intent, it was impossible not to focus purely on poetry with the same intensity.”
     In addition to sending students to this prestigious event, St. Catherine’s sponsored visiting author Kathi Appeit, who was featured at the event.
     The St. Catherine’s students learned about new styles of creative writing and listened to seasoned authors discuss their work. It was two days of learning and inspiration.
     “Our lunch discussion was lively and joyful - the girls were thrilled to have a day dedicated to experiencing the world of writing as a lifelong endeavor,” said Cynthia Lotze, an Upper School English teacher who attended the event with the students. “We talked about ways to balance a pursuit of art with the rest of the offerings presented in a humanities education.”
     King attended an Ekphrastic Poetry workshop with two classmates. The girls each drafted a poem during the workshop, which as filled with adults, including many who are professional writers.
     “It was a great experience- sometimes just finding yourself in a different setting unleashes waves of creativity you didn't even know you had” King said. “I'm very glad we were lucky enough to go.”