Senior Tributes 7.5.17

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​Kate Landry
College Choice: Rice University
Prospective Major: Economics and Managerial Studies (minoring in Business and/or Spanish)
If the couch is the throne in the Writing Center, then Kate would be the queen. Rarely would a tutorial go by that you didn’t see Kate sprawled on the plush cushions, laughing, smiling, and sharing stories with her friends. However, Kate relinquished her spot on the sofa often to aid students in their writing, most likely with English papers or Spanish essays on bullfighting. Though most of these sessions were relatively simple and easy, her most memorable session is the opposite—she had quite a hard time helping one student find material to cut out of his paper, which was “SO good…so well researched and thoughtful and coherent.” Though they struggled to find information to take out, she loved seeing the student grow, become a better writer, and realize his talent.
Kate was also a fountain of new ideas for the Writing Center and a leader in the famous Waffle Workshops, one of which had so many people who wanted to participate that the Writing Center had to turn them away. From all that Kate’s learned in her three years as a Writing Fellow, her advice to new Writing Fellows is: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn and grow with each session but also don’t be scared to show that you know what you’re doing and [that you’re giving] people meaningful feedback and help.” Kate,thank you for your service to the Writing Center. The impacts of your reign will be as infinite as the floral pattern on the couch.
– Alyssa Macaluso

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Mary Oliver
College Choice: Louisiana State University, Honors College
Prospective Major: Interior Design
Mary Oliver served as a writing fellow since her sophomore years and was always a vocal leader on the staff.  She helped the Writing Center expand its offerings in the Foreign Language department by helping her peers with their assignments for Spanish.  She also enjoyed assisting students from both middle and high school over the years.  Last year, Mary led a Spooky Stories Waffle Workshop with Elliott Kellam, and she has volunteered her time at other events and workshops.  Her favorite memories revolve around sitting on the couch with Harrison, John, Kirby, and many other writing fellows.  She also will always remember a conversation with a seventh grader this year about a hilarious short story. 
 
For next year’s writing fellows, she advises them to learn from their peers.  Mary said, “I learned the most about my own writing just by tutoring others. Also, don't worry about being the perfect fellow. As long as the person you're tutoring walks away with one new idea, your job is done.”  She hopes to be remembered as someone who liked being in the Writing Center.  “I feel like I spent a large amount of my time in the WC, and I'm going to miss it and all of the people I became close to in it. It's probably one of the things I'll miss most about Episcopal,” she added.  The feeling is mutual, Mary.  Your friends in the Writing Center and the countless students you helped will miss you, too! 

• Mrs. Julia Spaht

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