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IDEAS Academy Students Present Projects at Exhibitions of Learning
Sam Priem and Autumn Willard presented their projects titled, “How Will I be Treated Today?” at IDEAS Academy Exhibitions of Learning at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on January 10. In place of formal written finals, IDEAS Academy students present their semester long project twice a year in a public venue.
Over the course of a semester students are led through a five phase process by their IDEAS Block teacher, which includes writing papers with an annotated bibliography, creating something of value, presenting their learning to the public, and reflecting on the entire process. Sam and Autumn both chose to research women’s rights in specific places Africa and Asia. In describing her short story about Egyptian women, Autumn said “The tone of my writing is matter of fact and almost eerie.” Her story is based on actual events that happened in Egypt and is written in the voice of an Egyptian girl. She speaks of her horrific experience while walking in the streets of an Egyptian city without a veil over her face. The ramifications of that choice were deadly for one of her friends. Sam also chose creative writing as her art form, but instead of short stories, decided on poetry slam because “women’s rights is something that needs to be expressed with an art form that is loud and gets to the point so people really listen”. She focused her research on China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia to answer the driving question “How do women’s rights vary within Asia?” One of the challenges Sam faced was how much women’s rights vary across Asia and even across a single county such as China. Sam’s poetry focuses on how women are treated in her three countries of choice. She hopes “her poetry allows the audience to step into these women’s shoes and really understand how they feel.” In addition to exploring what is happening to women in these countries Sam also explored how Americas can help. This information was provided to the audience in in bookmarks with a list of websites to find out more about women’s rights and how to donate to valid support organizations. Saudi Arabia by Sam Priem Don't go anywhere without male permission Don't drive Don't talk to a male that isn't your relative And absolutely Positively Never ever Leave a building without your veil These are the rules Imposed upon us Rules even the princesses Would not dare brake Without fear of death My mother was sold to my father At a young age As his temporary bride He never found anyone else So now here I am A product of corruption A product of a world with so much wrong We need a big difference And we need it now China by Sam Priem I am a woman And I have my rights But not here Here I am an object Used for my body I've lost count Of how many 'husbands' I've had I've lived a million lives But I can not die Can not even try I am needed to recreate I've given up Any hopes of having a 'real family' There are no real families here Women are bought and sold Beaten and tortured Raped and forced into abortion Death is the escape I wish to be a number Added to the statistics Of hundreds of women Committing suicide everyday My father sold me When I was five To his close friend He was my first I was never the same since My mother and three sisters Were the same Father was ashamed He never had a son I was never named My suitors call me Ingres For lover Now I am in the clouds Looking over the children of my land Watching my life From beginning to end Again and again Always the same It's time to change IDEAS Academy is a charter high school in the Sheboygan Area School District. Sheboygan Area School District Press Release
January 14, 2013 |