This week, school reopened to welcome students for the annual summer writing retreat. Hosted by the Writer’s Academy, the retreat offers students time to learn more about the journalism, creative writing, and drama extracurriculars offered at Townsend Harris. Though the programs are open to all students, incoming freshmen often participate the most. This week, the program welcomed numerous students from the incoming class of 2029.

The journalism program, which introduces new students to The Classic, began on Monday. The drama program, which introduces students to The Nightingale Theater Company, began on Tuesday. Finally, the creative writing program, which introduces students to The Phoenix and The Starling Press, begins next week. 

“It’s actually really fun,” said incoming freshman Jaylinn Contin of the drama program. “You get to interact with people and you can be whoever you want to be.

Maya Ali took part in the journalism program this week.

“I came so I could learn more about journalism,” she said. “I’m interested in it, and I want to become a better writer myself.”

Throughout the journalism program various Classic editors attended to discuss different opportunities freshmen have for joining the publication officially in the fall.

“The program is supposed to introduce students to these writing clubs,” said Classic editor-in-chief Ryan Chen, who participated in the journalism program. “But it’s also there to help freshmen meet people before they start high school, so that they have some familiarity when they begin the school year.”

According to the documents shared with students promoting the program, participation in these summer classes help students get started on the four-year sequence of opportunities available through the THHS Writer’s Academy.

According to the documents, joining the Writers Academy “offers [students] access to special service credit opportunities, trips, events, and honors designations.”