CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS

For the sixth year, The Cowpoke Fall Gathering is bringing creative writing to students in the Loomis Union School District. This year 4th and 7th grade students from H. Clarke Powers Elementary, Loomis Grammar School and Penryn Elementary will be introduced to the basics of writing, rhyming/narrative poetry by Larry Maurice, cowboy poet, storyteller and lecturer. Larry has been a working cowboy in California and Nevada for the past twenty five years and his first hand knowledge of the trade gives the credibility to his work that is so necessary when working with younger audiences. Honored by the Academy of Western Artists with the Wills Rogers Award, as "Cowboy Poet of the Year 2000", Larry makes the cattle drives, characters and critters of the old west come alive through poetry, stories and song.

Each student will learn about the history of the Old West, and will take part in writing their own cowboy poetry with the help of images and information provided in class. The students will develop basic story lines and then recite a finished poem. The instruction is almost as fun as the final product. "It's so easy even a cowboy can do it", helps to remove some of the stereotypes and mysteries of poetry.

As in past years, students have an opportunity to recite their completed poetry during the Cowpoke Fall Gathering. This year the student whose poems are selected will perform on Saturday, November 13 at 9:00am. This is free event and everyone is invited to enjoy the budding poets on stage.

The creative writing workshop is made possible by the generous support of the Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic-Small Animals & Exotics. For the third year in a row, LBVC has provided a unique opportunity to so many students to experience the cowboy lifestyle in a way that comes alive with poetry and creative writing. We are extremely grateful for their support of the schools and youth in our community.