creative writing club at rhs
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
Writing is a hobby many people enjoy. The new Creative Writing Club is designed for those who enjoy an unrestricted way of writing.
Once a class at RHS, it has been brought back as a club for those to enjoy as an extracurricular activity.
English teacher Mr. Rineer is the head of the club.
“Samantha Schafer really launched it. I used to teach a creative writing class but there was little interest in it. She approached me last year about starting a club so she deserves the credit,” said Mr. Rineer.
Creative writing was once considered an English credit but was eliminated as a class years ago. It has since been an option for an elective class but few students have opted for it on their schedule.
“The curriculum was re-written to English 9, 10, 11 and 12. Before there used to be different categories and options,” said Mr. Rineer.
The reaction by other teachers to the creation of the club was positive.
“I haven’t really heard much of a reaction. Mr. Applegate and Mrs. Gabridge were excited about it. Mrs. Michon supported it as well,” said Mr. Rineer.
Because the club is new this year, the amount of people varies. The club tries to meet twice a month but it has been difficult for everybody to always stay after school.
“It started at eight people then moved to six then to twelve. It’s open to whomever. It is a club in progress because people are involved in sports and have jobs,” said Mr. Rineer.
The first assignment for the group is to have a started writing product by the next time they meet. The goal by semester time is for everybody to have a completed short story that could be published by spring.
Although the club is currently a work in progress, Mr. Rineer hopes that eventually the club will be officially recognized and have more significance.
“I would like to have it recognized by administration as an official club. I think it is beneficial to those who love to write. If it was an official club, we could do poetry and much more. I think that the people in the club understand that there are others out there who just like to write,” said Mr. Rineer.
Senior Samantha Schafer was a large reason for the formation of the club.
“I really wanted to have the creative writing class but we didn’t have enough people. We needed 25 to form the class but only had 18,” said Schafer.
Schafer has been trying to help form the class for years, but with no avail starting the club was the only remaining option.
“I have been trying to be a part of the class for three years now so it made sense to try to have a club outside of school,” said Schafer.
The structure to the club was one feature that Schafer enjoys.
“The writing is more creative because of the difference in criticism. It is more along the lines of having creativity than the mechanics,” said Schafer.
Overall, Schafer appreciates the efforts that Mr. Rineer has put forth to make the club possible.
“Mr. Rineer has a very busy schedule and we are grateful he takes the time to help us. He is very invested in how the students are doing because he really enjoys creative writing,” said Schafer.
Schafer hopes to see the club continue once she graduates, but sees reasons that may prevent this from happening.
“I’m sad that I won’t be able to be a part of it once I graduate. I think it may fizzle off, but I am hoping to find younger students to carry it on,” said Schafer.
Other students in the club also enjoy the free style of writing.
Junior Thomas Biafore is one of these students.
“I really enjoy writing fictional stories and being creative. I like to display creative thoughts in writing which is why I decided to join the club,” said Biafore.
Biafore believes the club should be an elective for students.
“I wanted it to be an elective this year but we didn’t have enough people for the class,” said Biafore.
Biafore enjoys the liberty the club has compared to a normal English class.
“The club doesn’t have a followed structure which is something I like. It’s more self-directed; write what you want,” said Biafore.
Senior Jennifer Merriman also was excited about the creation of the club.
“I wanted to join so I could have a group of people read my writing. I consider writing like a hobby that I enjoy, but I like being a part of a group of people who enjoy writing as well,” said Merriman.
Merriman most enjoys how there are few restrictions to the writing style of the club.
“It’s free writing. You do what you want. Our homework is just write more for the next meeting,” said Merriman.
When asked about whether or not she believes the club should be an elective Merriman said, “Definitely yes because it is a writing course that makes you a much better writer. Regular English class is restricted to a certain paper or topic while creative writing is about what you want.”
News Editor
Writing is a hobby many people enjoy. The new Creative Writing Club is designed for those who enjoy an unrestricted way of writing.
Once a class at RHS, it has been brought back as a club for those to enjoy as an extracurricular activity.
English teacher Mr. Rineer is the head of the club.
“Samantha Schafer really launched it. I used to teach a creative writing class but there was little interest in it. She approached me last year about starting a club so she deserves the credit,” said Mr. Rineer.
Creative writing was once considered an English credit but was eliminated as a class years ago. It has since been an option for an elective class but few students have opted for it on their schedule.
“The curriculum was re-written to English 9, 10, 11 and 12. Before there used to be different categories and options,” said Mr. Rineer.
The reaction by other teachers to the creation of the club was positive.
“I haven’t really heard much of a reaction. Mr. Applegate and Mrs. Gabridge were excited about it. Mrs. Michon supported it as well,” said Mr. Rineer.
Because the club is new this year, the amount of people varies. The club tries to meet twice a month but it has been difficult for everybody to always stay after school.
“It started at eight people then moved to six then to twelve. It’s open to whomever. It is a club in progress because people are involved in sports and have jobs,” said Mr. Rineer.
The first assignment for the group is to have a started writing product by the next time they meet. The goal by semester time is for everybody to have a completed short story that could be published by spring.
Although the club is currently a work in progress, Mr. Rineer hopes that eventually the club will be officially recognized and have more significance.
“I would like to have it recognized by administration as an official club. I think it is beneficial to those who love to write. If it was an official club, we could do poetry and much more. I think that the people in the club understand that there are others out there who just like to write,” said Mr. Rineer.
Senior Samantha Schafer was a large reason for the formation of the club.
“I really wanted to have the creative writing class but we didn’t have enough people. We needed 25 to form the class but only had 18,” said Schafer.
Schafer has been trying to help form the class for years, but with no avail starting the club was the only remaining option.
“I have been trying to be a part of the class for three years now so it made sense to try to have a club outside of school,” said Schafer.
The structure to the club was one feature that Schafer enjoys.
“The writing is more creative because of the difference in criticism. It is more along the lines of having creativity than the mechanics,” said Schafer.
Overall, Schafer appreciates the efforts that Mr. Rineer has put forth to make the club possible.
“Mr. Rineer has a very busy schedule and we are grateful he takes the time to help us. He is very invested in how the students are doing because he really enjoys creative writing,” said Schafer.
Schafer hopes to see the club continue once she graduates, but sees reasons that may prevent this from happening.
“I’m sad that I won’t be able to be a part of it once I graduate. I think it may fizzle off, but I am hoping to find younger students to carry it on,” said Schafer.
Other students in the club also enjoy the free style of writing.
Junior Thomas Biafore is one of these students.
“I really enjoy writing fictional stories and being creative. I like to display creative thoughts in writing which is why I decided to join the club,” said Biafore.
Biafore believes the club should be an elective for students.
“I wanted it to be an elective this year but we didn’t have enough people for the class,” said Biafore.
Biafore enjoys the liberty the club has compared to a normal English class.
“The club doesn’t have a followed structure which is something I like. It’s more self-directed; write what you want,” said Biafore.
Senior Jennifer Merriman also was excited about the creation of the club.
“I wanted to join so I could have a group of people read my writing. I consider writing like a hobby that I enjoy, but I like being a part of a group of people who enjoy writing as well,” said Merriman.
Merriman most enjoys how there are few restrictions to the writing style of the club.
“It’s free writing. You do what you want. Our homework is just write more for the next meeting,” said Merriman.
When asked about whether or not she believes the club should be an elective Merriman said, “Definitely yes because it is a writing course that makes you a much better writer. Regular English class is restricted to a certain paper or topic while creative writing is about what you want.”