Students at Fauquier High School (FHS) now have a new place to improve their writing skills and get help from their peers. Sponsored by English teacher Shauna Shiff, the Writing Center is run by students in the AP Capstone program (AP Seminar and AP Research) giving students a place to receive guidance on their work.
Shiff explained that the club's main goal is to create a welcoming space where students can ask questions and get support on their assignments.
Shiff said, “The Writing Center is meant to be a space where students can ask questions and receive advice without feeling judged.” Shiff added, “the point of the center is to help out other students who just need assistance in whatever paper they're working on,” explaining that the center mainly serves students who are in need of help or want to strengthen their writing.
The Writing Center Program teaches students how to write at a college level, which senior Ariel Payton believes makes the tutors more reliable. He explained that the seminar and research focus on analyzing sources, making connections between ideas, and developing strong arguments.
He added, “Not many students get that experience, which is why Capstone students are good at helping others with their papers.”
When students visit the Writing Center, often after hearing about it from other students or seeing flyers posted in the hallways, tutors take a collaborative approach rather than simply correcting mistakes. Payton describes how “sessions usually begin with a conversation about the students' confidence in their work.”
As he described, “I often ask students how they feel about their paper before giving feedback, and then I help with grammar, word choice and organization while making sure the paper meets the requirements of the teacher's expectations.”
Although the Writing Center is still new, one challenge it faces is limited advertising. Posters have been posted mainly in the English and History hallways, since those classes involve the most writing. However, Payton noted that the smaller number of students has created a more personal environment, elaborating that “it's kind of nice because it's more one-on-one,” allowing tutors to give students more individual attention.
By the end of each session, junior Emily Galvez, a Writing Center tutor, hopes students walk away feeling more confident and independent as writers. She shares that her ultimate goal is for students to feel secure in their work and more confident in themselves. She added, “I believe students should have the opportunity to walk out the door and feel confident.”
As the Writing Center continues to grow under Shiff's sponsorship, it aims to become a welcoming space where students can improve their writing and build confidence in their academic work. With new possibilities around the corner, this program is here to help.
