HWRHS Edfund Writing Center
"Either do something worth writing or write something worth reading."
- Benjamin Franklin
Why Come to the Writing Center?
Help With Schoolwork!
Have a problem with a paper? Looking for ways to improve? Just need a fresh perspective? The tutors at the Writing Center can help you polish up your paper before you hand it in or find ways to improve it for the next draft. Multiple trips to the writing center means a better piece!
Many teachers also offer incentives (extensions and extra credit) for students to come to the Writing Center!
Just because the Writing Center is writing-oriented doesn't mean it's just English-oriented; we also offer help with History papers, foreign language papers, science lab reports and... well, whatever math does writing-wise.
Convenient Place to Write!
In addition to being a helpful resource, the Writing Center is also a good place to work on writing-related work. We have writing resources, rubrics, computers, and tutors who are ready to help when you need it.
Oh, and we have tea and coffee.
(It's pretty awesome.)
Where is the Writing Center?
We are located in Room 99, between the Administrative Office and the display case. Please stoby by if you have any more questions! Our door is always open
Who Works in the Writing Center?
These good-lookin' peeps:
Hi everyone! I'm KIRSTEN GOEBEN and I am a senior at Hamilton-Wenham. This is my second year being a Writing Center tutor and I can already tell it's going to be a great year. Please feel free to visit me during D block!
I was born in the faraway land of Alexandria, VA, but I moved up north at the age of three to the West Wenham Swamp. I quickly adapted to the swamp culture and lifestyle and I’ve lived in “WW” ever since. I am now seventeen years old and recently received my driver’s license (if you ever want to raise your self-esteem, watch me park) and my car is named The Mystery Machine. Outside of school, I am a part-time dog and child babysitter but am currently seeking other career opportunities. I am not a skilled or agile athlete but despite this setback I participate in Cross Country, Swim Team, and Track. My biggest fear is balloons so please do not let any within a 500 foot radius of me.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my life! If you need help with any writing in English or in Spanish, please pop on by and my fellow tutors and I will be glad to help you!!
Hi there! My name’s COURTNEY MILOT and I’m a junior here at the High School. This is my first year in the writing center and I can’t wait for a great year working with all of you. Come on down to the Writing Center during A block!
Aside from being an English enthusiast, I enjoy running, biking, and cooking (well, okay, more like eating). I also play volleyball and swim for the Hamilton-Wenham swim team. I dabble in freelance sleeping and professional procrastination. I have a passion for tea, books, and music of all kinds. I’m terrible at drawing and driving (what’s a parallel park?), although I persist in both activities with fervent perseverance.
Alongside my love of writing is my obsession with books. Some of my favorites are: My Name is Asher Lev, The Once and Future King, The Help, The Kite Runner, and all works of John Green. I also love the movies "Miss Congeniality" and "Mean Girls," although there are so many others that I adore.
A fun fact about me is that I can wiggle my ears, and that I’m an only child. I once had fish named sprinkles, but my pet-owning career promptly ended after two consecutive goldfish deaths in one month. My favorite season is winter, but fall comes in at a close second.
You’ll find I’m a friendly person, even during the rocky early mornings of A block. Once I have your name down, we’ll be lifelong friends!
Kirsten Goeben
2014
Courtney Milot
2015
Hello! My name is MELISSA KAIN, and I am so excited to be working in the Writing Center this year. I am a senior who will be in the Writing Center during G block, so stop by if you need help editing any assignments! Besides English, my favorite subjects in school are math and Spanish. Although I like to pretend that I’m a very sophisticated person who enjoys reading classic literature, watching thought-provoking films, and spending time on various scholarly pursuits, I am still a teenage girl who also loves shopping, "Gossip Girl", and the occasional song by One Direction. My favorite author is David Sedaris. If you enjoy reading extremely weird stories that will make you question their validity and your life, his essay collection Me Talk Pretty One Day is the book for you! One of my favorite TV shows is "30 Rock", and I worship Tina Fey. She is definitely one of my main inspirations in life. If you want to compliment me, tell me that I look like Tina Fey. Even though this is a huge stretch, a surprising amount of people has made the comparison and it never fails to make my day. A few other fun facts about me: my favorite type of ice cream is chocolate-vanilla twist soft serve, I cannot parallel park, and I have a miniature goldendoodle named Scout. Thanks for coming to the Writing Center!
Melissa Kain
2014
Hi there! My name is EMILY THORNBURG, and this year, I am a Writing Center tutor during D Block. Before the year truly kicks off with English, History, and Spanish papers, you should know something about me. I am a senior. I love to watch television, and for whatever reason, I recently discovered that I like tennis when I watched the US Open. Go Serena Williams! Other sports I am interested in is volleyball; I try to play when I can. Though, I draw the line at beach volleyball because doing anything in the sand is much too difficult. Hmmm, what else should you know about me? You can probably tell that I like to write. However, grammar mistakes tend to slip their way into my papers more often than I would like. Lastly, I will leave you with a little bit of advice. On top of all the English or History papers assigned throughout the year, the lab reports, the college essays, book reviews and other writing assignments are most certainly sure to follow. But, no need to feel a sudden sense that your brain will explode. Before any freaking out commences, I recommend you come to the writing center. I still remember my first visit there when a tutor helped me with my summer reading paper. The paper was too long and my arguments weren’t explained thoroughly. While talking to my tutor, I was able to verbalize my thoughts, and I walked away knowing exactly what I needed to do. Thus, with whatever writing assignment you may have, I will try to do the same: I hope to help you explore your ideas, organize your paper, find your voice and more. In other words, my goal is to help you grow in your writing abilities and thus help you grow in your confidence as a writer.
Emily Thornburg
2014
Hi Everybody! So to start off my name is ERIN MOLONEY. If you can tell by my photograph I am a natural beauty. I am the small girl with the big shoes in the hallways at school. If you walk up to me and give me a hug you will get one back, and if you talk to me I will want to be your best friend. I grew up on a farm, and would have to wake up at 2:30 in the morning to milk the unicorns. Okay, truthfully I did not grow up on a farm; I live in a normal house on a normal street. If I had a television show suggestion to make for all of you it would be RuPaul’s Drag Race; I highly recommend sitting down with ice cream and having a three hour marathon. In case you all were wondering my birthday is June 12th, so if you want to make me a cake it would be highly appreciated. I don’t know what else to tell all of you lovelies, but if you stop by F block and visit me we can have a wondrous conversation about writing. I love helping people, so that means visiting me. I will be waiting to help you.
P.S. Eric (another writing center tutor) says that I am a crazy short person with big shoes.
It's true. She is.
Erin Moloney
2014
Hey, I’m PETER ANTONUCCI, a senior who’ll be in here F block first semester and E block second semester. You may recognize me as the mustache kid for the voluminous stalker ‘stache I kept under my nose till January last year. Or, you may also know me from model UN, Political Club, or G4C, all of which I do in my spare time. Why didn’t you see me around before last year? Well I didn’t go to this school; in fact I wasn’t even in country. Last year my family and I moved from… (drum roll) Kabul Afghanistan. I know. Crazy, right? Don’t worry, though, I’m not a terrorist (‘cause I knew you’d ask), my parents did aid work. I myself spent twelve years there and another eight in various places around the US. Don’t bother asking where I’m from, though, I still have no clue.
Some other interesting stuff about me is that I love dark chocolate (so you know if you’re looking for bribes), I have a tad bit of ADD (though I don’t talk enough to show it), and I love anything that involves strategy. I’m a fan of just about any food (the more exotic the better) and I just generally like to try new things. My favorite book would probably be The Hobbit, which I know you juniors will be reading this year, so please bring in your essays.
I joined writing center because I just really do like literature. Growing up I learned, along with how to evade rocket attacks, to love the art forming sentences. I’ve developed from the point of half hour rants over finishing two sentences, too to my four page narrative accidentally spilling onto its 18th sheet. I love writing poetry especially when I’m dead tired and I’ll read pretty much anything if I have the time. So please, come in and give me something to read.
Peter Antonucci
2014
Mary Joens
2015
My name is MARY JOENS, I’m a junior this year, and you’ll be able to find me in the Writing Center during B block. This is the part where I’m supposed to “tell you a little about myself,” which is always an awkward thing to transition into after you introduce yourself, so hopefully you can accept this sentence as said transition. I’ve loved books since before I knew how to read. I think at first it was the idea of the stories that I loved being preserved and contained in these weird little marks on pieces of paper that intrigued me, and once I could decode those little marks I was hooked. Ever since then, most of my free time has been spent either with my nose in a book or a pen in hand. But I’ve branched out from just books with stories since my childhood, and love to learn about pretty much anything except spiders. If you mention spiders I’ll probably run away. Volcanoes have been a strange obsession of mine since I was about six, I own a small collection of books about the 20th-century German history, and I enjoy writing simple programs in Java even though I’m not very good at it.
I like bears, dogs, and especially dogs that look like bears. I generally prefer the British spelling of words to the American spelling, and will defend the Oxford comma until the day I die. My favorite color is navy blue and if I could have any superpower it would be teleportation. When I’m not reading, writing, or fantasizing about being able to teleport, I like to make stop-motion videos. Not claymation, though, since I’m not artistic enough for that. You may also come across me answering rhetorical questions, giving high-fives, missing attempted high-fives, and rearranging my bookshelves in order to accommodate a collection that grows at a somewhat alarming rate. So, that’s me in a nutshell, and I can’t wait to see you in the Writing Center this year. Happy writing!
Hey there, my name is KATIE BOYD and I am a seeeniooooor (!!!) here at Hamilton Wenham Regional. Normally you can find me hanging out here in the coziest room in the school – the Edfund Writing Center – or in the theatre where I work as a costumer/ hair and makeup artist. I admit I am a geek, but I like to think I’m a cool geek. I love love love talking to new (and not so new!) people, so seriously don’t be shy! (I used to be wicked shy so trust me I know what it feels like.) My all time favorite story is Peter Pan, so if you so much as mention it I will definitely think you’re awesome. I also thoroughly enjoy everything vintage, edgy, and slightly alternative. Whenever you need help with writing of any kind, don’t be afraid to come to me for assistance! I’m in the Writing Center during C Block.) Should any problems arise in academic OR creative writing, I am here to help!
Katie Boyd
2014
Hello Hamilton-Wenham Student! How are you? Well, if you’re stressed about writing that next essay or brainstorming ideas for that next public-speaking speech, come to the writing center! Believe me, all of us tutors want to help in any way that we can. Well, I hope that this overly enthusiastic introduction didn’t scare you off, but I’m rather excited to begin tutoring. Just to let you know, if you’re anxious at all about asking for help, we all struggle with our writing, and believe me, I do too. Enough about the writing center, I bet you want to know a little something about me; if not, too bad.
My name is VICTORIA THORNBURG and I am a senior. I don’t think that I’ve ever had a favorite book; I’m still looking. You might assume that I read and write a lot because I’m a writing-center tutor, but I actually don’t. I enjoy reading but not all the time, I like to do other stuff, like taking a walk. (I know, I sound so interesting) I also am not a hard-core writer. However, I find myself wanting to try different things in order to grow as a writer, and I hope to be of some help to you as you continue to find your own voice in written language. Feel free to stop by while I’m in the Writing Center during D Block for any questions or concerns.
Victoria Thornburg
2014
Hello! My name’s KELSEY KENNY, I’m a senior but I’m kind of like an oversized baby because this is my first year at the writing center. I’m 17 and three quarters but I’ll be 18 on December 6. If I was to be trapped on a deserted island and could only bring three things I’d choose 1.Pen 2.Notebook 3.Easy Mac (like macaroni and cheese not some kind of new apple product). If you started a small discussion group regarding my style the phrase “soft grunge” would probably be tossed around. Don’t believe me? Just take a peek at my tumblr page. In all seriousness, everyone says I’m really friendly and I know that I’ll try my best to help you out with your writing! I’m so excited to be a tutor this year and get to know everyone better through his or her writing. So please please please come see me C block, because I love you….
Kelsey Kenny
2014
Nice to see ya! My name is CORI WARD and I am a senior here at Hamilton Wenham. This is my second year working in the Edfund writing center and I don't think anyone can truly understand how excited I am to be working here again. I love to write and I would love to help you learn to love to write as well. I live in the writing center during H Block with the rest of the H Block clan and it's super fun. None of us have criminal records and we are willing to help with any sort of writing you have to do including Spanish assignments, lab reports, college essays, research papers, or of course, English essays.
If you come to the writing center we most definitely will become best friends and pretty much all of your dreams will come true. My hobbies include eating, sleeping, and the internet as a whole. I will probably start watching Dancing with the Stars now because Bill Nye is going to be on it, so feel free to chat with me about that. I love to dance, run, eat, sleep, watch TV, play with my cat, and spend time with my friends, but I hardly ever do all these things at once.
So come on down to the writing center! It's super fun, I promise!
Cori Ward
2014
Hi. I’m ERIC BAUMEISTER. This is my biography.
Fact: 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.
I was born March 8th, 1996 to Stephanie and Dean Baumeister, whom I love very much. Unfortunately, my affection was not reciprocated, and they threw me into the wild when I was three weeks old. I was raised by wolves for ten years before returning to civilization.
Fact: The ostrich can roar like a lion and run like a cheetah, making it the most underappreciated creature in the animal kingdom.
My love of writing began when I found I could disguise my Algebra doodles as oddly-shaped poems. Mr. Maher thought it was genius and instantly bought one from me. I make seven dollars’ royalty off him every month.
Fact: 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their butts.
People say I’m fond of swimming, but I only practice so I can fight sea monsters more effectively. The same goes for running, but there aren’t as many sea monsters on land.
And now you know everything there is to know about me.
Fact: You should really come to the Writing Center.
Eric Baumeister
2014
If you are currently reading this, then let me tell you I am highly impressed that you are taking time out of your day to learn about us! I am assuming you are about to enter the wonderful world of the Edfund Writing Center. I warn you, it is a magical place filled with baby fridges, old microwaves, and endless amounts of tea. In addition to this we also tutor kids, but that's just a side job.
My name is COLBY POULIN and I have been fortunate enough to have been selected as a tutor for the past two years. While I am not tutoring I am either driving around pretending I can sing and dance like Beyonce or wishing I was still cheerleading even though I stopped last year. I also love art and like to think I'm creative, so if you ever need help with an art project feel free to ask! Barnes & Noble is my favorite place in the whole world (besides Starbucks) because I love looking through endless amounts and choosing the ones I love. Any money I get goes to books and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. So if you ever want a paper tutored, feel free to bring me coffee and I'll make sure to do a good job!
Colby Poulin
2014
Welcome to the Writing Center! I’m AUDREY DELORENZO and I am thrilled to be a tutor my senior year. My favorite summer reading book was The Namesake. I am now moving on to Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies. Besides reading, I also traveled to Nicaragua this summer. Getting to know the kind people and a new culture was incredible. By the way, if you ever need help with Spanish I’m your girl. I am the older sister of triplets in 8th grade, so if you ever see Jack, Julia, or Nathan DeLorenzo feel free to say hi. Additionally, I am a co-leader of our school’s interact club, a babysitter, and a dancer. My curly-coated retriever Winston is the love of my life. I also have a slight obsession with cannolis. My favorite class I ever took in high school is world literature with Ms. Karpa. I learned so much about different cultures and had a blast doing it. We even got to have our own Japanese tea ceremony and watch an Anime film. While studying Botswana we read The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency and I highly recommend it. It is an adventurous book about a headstrong Motswana woman who travels around uncovering secrets. It is the perfect beach read. I am so excited to be a part of the Writing Center and more than willing to answer any questions you might have. Please come visit me during E block. Whether it’s an English paper, a college essay, a history report, etc. I would love to help.
Audrey DeLorenzo
2014
Chris Oo
2014
Hello HWRHS!! My name is CHRISTOPHER OO and I am a senior this year. For the record, it is pronounced like “ooooooooo”, not “oh”. In case you didn’t know, my last name is Burmese. Now you can all say you know a Burmese person!!! (Check that off your bucket lists.) In case you don’t know much about Burma (Myanmar), it is a country in Southeast Asia bordered by Thailand, India, China and Laos. If you want to know even more, feel free to talk to me/ask me about it some time!!
Now to business…I want you to know that I am very excited to be a part of this year’s EdFund Writing Center. I love everything about writing!! I am also an avid reader. I read books religiously and love to read all different genres of books. This summer I read Malcom x: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable and loved it. To name a few more of my favorites: The Harry Potter series, the Alex Rider series, the Lightning Thief series, the Hunger Games series, the Inheritance series, the Hardy Boys (from way back when), Night, The Giver, The Lizard Cage, A Separate Peace, Alive, The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Namesake, The Once and Future King, Crime and Punishment, The Book Thief, A Long Way Gone, Anthem, This Boy’s Life, The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev, I Am David, Peace is Every Step, A Pebble for Your Pocket, Under the Rose Apple Tree, Undaunted… To be honest, I love all books… They are all my favorites!!!!!
I am very interested in English and History and love to write those types of papers. I am currently in AP English and AP US History and would be happy to help you with those subjects. In addition, I am in AP Spanish 5 and was in AP Spanish 4 last year so I can definitely help you with all things Spanish. I also know about writing lab reports for science class since I was in AP Biology with Mrs. Umile last year and know all about how those reports work.
I am here to help you and would love to help anytime. I am in the Writing Center during H Block and would love for you to stop by. I am composed, easy-going and passionate about helping. I want to help you take advantage of this great opportunity. At the Writing Center, we want you to feel comfortable, welcome and appreciated. I am so excited to help you all become great writers, master your abilities as writers and most importantly, realize a love and appreciation for writing. I can’t wait to help you guys become the amazing writers I know you are and can be. Hope to see you soon and I look forward to working with you!!!
Hi! My name is BECKY DIXON. I'm a senior and this is my first year in the Writing Center! I am really excited to be working here for my senior year. I love English, especially reading and writing. If you come to the Writing Center during E Block, I will try and help tutor your work to the best of my ability. Outside of the Writing Center I play on the Field Hockey team - don't be fooled by our past game records because I promise you this year will be better! Last year I joined the HW Interact club and I really enjoy it. The past two summers I had the wonderful opportunity to be part of the "Leadership Development Program" (all eight weeks of the summer) at my camp that I have been going to for a while. I spent parts of my summer in the wilderness... don't really know why, but I loved it.
I am the oldest of three in my family - I have two younger sisters. One of them is a sophomore (Maddy) and the other is in eighth grade at the middle school (Lily). I have two cats and a white German Shepherd, which is a pretty rare type of German Shepherd... or so I've been told... Anyway, I've been living in the small town of Hamilton for fifteen years of my life. I wan to get out of the small town setting because I love cities and I am planning on going to college in the dity, or in close procimities to one. Come down to the Writing Center E Block to come and have me edit your papers!
Rebecca Dixon
2014
Hey everybody! My name is CHELSEA HAWKINS. I am a senior, and I am really excited to be a tutor this year. English has always been my favorite class and I love to write so if you are having trouble writing a paper or story I can help. I have been in honors English ever since I was a freshman, and this year I am in AP English. I took Creative Writing last year so if you have any poems or stories you would like me to look over I would be more than happy to. I love reading a good short story and I have a soft spot for poetry. I also do pretty well in Spanish class, so don't hesitate to ask me for some help if you have a writing assignment in Spanish that you would like to go over. I am pretty easy to talk to so hopefully you will like working with me and find me to be helpful. I can't say that I have a favorite book but I have enjoyed reading works by John Irving. In my free time I like to play guitar, listen to music and watch sports games. If the Patriots or Bruins played the night before, you can count on me to give you all of the highlights of the game if you missed it and want to know. I can't wait to start working with all of you!
Chelsea Hawkins
2014
Hello, reader. Thanks for taking the time to read this bio. I apologize that you had to trudge through the previous seventeen to get here, I assure you mine will blow your socks off. Or slippers. Or crocs. Or whatever foot apparel you're currently wearing.
Let me introduce myself. I am IAN STOCK. I am a senior here, which means I have taken most of the classes you have, and probably been assigned most of your upcoming assignments. Need help with writing your "What Happens to a Pituitary Stunted" poem in freshman year? Done it. Struggling with your sophomore memoir and how to relate the sensory details of riding your doberman like a small horse? Been there. Trying to figure out how Small Feet Walk Hard: Dewey Cox and the Evolution of the Short Power Movement stand out amongst the other essays at the History Fair? Heck, my junior year website was about the jazz influences in Guilty as Charged. I promise to be a helpful peer, not a domineering would-be teacher. If you want to double down on a stream-of-consciousness narrative style for your Personal Essay on Tom Thumb? I may advise against it, but ultimately I'll trust your judgment. Come to Writing Center H Block, and I promise I'll be someone you can look up to.
Are your socks blown off yet? No? Try reading it again.
Ian Stock
2014
Hey everyone! My name is FIONA COLLINS. I'll be available G Block, and I'm always happy to help. I joined the Writing Center because I had a great time last year with Mr. Pape. The fact that he's the head of this place is pretty much the reason I looked into it. He encouraged us to use the Writing Center, and I promise it's helpful. I'm not just saying that.
Some fun facts about me: I enjoy drawing in my spare time and playing with my hedghog Edward. I work at Meadowbrook Farms and am pretty good at stocking vegetables. Currently I am saving up so I can do a gap year abroad. I may be homeless for a few years if I can't save in time, but it might not be too bad. David Letterman, Ben Franklin, and Houdini were homeless. Hipsters pay a lot of money to look homeless. My favorite books include Life of Pi, Daughter of Fortune, and Wuthering Heights. Also, I like pretty much any superhero movie.
I'm looking forward to a great year!
Fiona Collins
2014
Advisor: Mr. Pape
(Our Fearless Leader)
My tutors are making me write this. As I type, they are poking their sharpened pencils into my back. "Write faster!" Cori cries. "If we have to write this bio, you do!" But I suppose it is important that I join in the fun. I bet you think I'm going to write about writing.
I used to run in high school. Ridiculously long distances. If my friend Willie Rodriguez ran fifteen miles on Saturday, I ran twenty on Sunday. This continued from ninth grade into my sophomore year. We pushed each other that way. Just to see how far we could go. But I wasn't very smart about it. I was driven more by one-upmanship rather than getting faster as a runner. Sometimes I would tell my parents I was going for a run or bike ride and I'd leave the house and not return until that evening. They were often incensed. Once, a half-hour before dinner, I called my mother from Hampton Bays, a town thirty miles away that I had biked to, and asked for a ride home. I had no water, a flat tire, and a dime that I had used for the phone call. My father was not pleased when he got home from work, to find his dinner in the fridge with a note from my mother, "Be home soon, I went to bring our son home."
I don't condone this type of reckless behavior. I grew out of it. Or at least I think I have. But there are times when the draw for adventure or miles or solitude is too strong, and I run, bike, or write. I haven't looked closely at that draw in a long time. I have biked and run and written all my life, but I haven't gone on one of those ridiculously long runs in a while. My creaky knees always turn me around, and send me home. But writing doesn't hurt my knees and I find that I get the same sort of runner's high, a writer's high, that running used to give me. I may not encourage you to run for twenty miles, but if you've never written for pleasure, for the sake of adventure or exploration until the dark hours of the morning, I highly recommend it. But bring water.
Look at him. Bold. Bald. Beautiful.