Bestselling Authors Visit Campus
Last week, two New York Times bestselling authors visited campus. One is a prominent young adult writer and recipient of the National Book Award. The other is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist whose story inspired the 2013 movie The Butler.
On Thursday, January 19, Neal Shusterman hosted a small group discussion with Middle School students about his award-winning book Challenger Deep and his popular Unwind series. In other sessions, he guided boys through a brainstorming process for writing a “group” short story. In Middle School Chapel, Mr. Shusterman drew on themes from his book The Schwa was Here, including the idea of being invisible and flying under the radar in classes and in life.
The next day, Friday, January 20, St. Mark’s welcomed celebrated journalist Wil Haygood. Mr. Haygood’s 2008 Washington Post article “A Butler Well Served by This Election,” about former White House waiter and butler Eugene Allen, inspired the film The Butler. During two presentations for the Upper and Middle Schools, Mr. Haygood discussed his career covering historical events around the world, from Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in South Africa to 33 consecutive days the author spent reporting from New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. He also applied his experience and education to today’s political climate.
“The best part of the American narrative is when we stand together and exhibit love for every man, woman, child, and human being,” Mr. Haygood told Upper School students.
After spending the day on campus, Mr. Haygood attended the varsity basketball game against Casady, where he sat courtside with his former high school coach Scott Guiler, father of St. Mark's varsity basketball coach Greg Guiler.
Neal Shusterman was invited to campus by the Green Library as the Middle School Author of the Year. Students in seventh and eighth grade Humanities read his book Challenger Deep as part of their summer reading. Wil Haygood visited as a distinguished guest of the Visiting Scholars Program, which every year brings scholars, artists, lecturers, and teachers to campus to give boys exposure to other perspectives, ideas, and experiences.
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On Thursday, January 19, Neal Shusterman hosted a small group discussion with Middle School students about his award-winning book Challenger Deep and his popular Unwind series. In other sessions, he guided boys through a brainstorming process for writing a “group” short story. In Middle School Chapel, Mr. Shusterman drew on themes from his book The Schwa was Here, including the idea of being invisible and flying under the radar in classes and in life.
The next day, Friday, January 20, St. Mark’s welcomed celebrated journalist Wil Haygood. Mr. Haygood’s 2008 Washington Post article “A Butler Well Served by This Election,” about former White House waiter and butler Eugene Allen, inspired the film The Butler. During two presentations for the Upper and Middle Schools, Mr. Haygood discussed his career covering historical events around the world, from Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in South Africa to 33 consecutive days the author spent reporting from New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. He also applied his experience and education to today’s political climate.
“The best part of the American narrative is when we stand together and exhibit love for every man, woman, child, and human being,” Mr. Haygood told Upper School students.
After spending the day on campus, Mr. Haygood attended the varsity basketball game against Casady, where he sat courtside with his former high school coach Scott Guiler, father of St. Mark's varsity basketball coach Greg Guiler.
Neal Shusterman was invited to campus by the Green Library as the Middle School Author of the Year. Students in seventh and eighth grade Humanities read his book Challenger Deep as part of their summer reading. Wil Haygood visited as a distinguished guest of the Visiting Scholars Program, which every year brings scholars, artists, lecturers, and teachers to campus to give boys exposure to other perspectives, ideas, and experiences.
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Neal Shusterman (left) and Wil Haygood (right) speaking with students
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
