Writing superhero
American studies is interdisciplinary: history, economics, sociology, gender studies, the arts . . . virtually every discipline offers an important lens into American culture and society.
But how does this translate into real-world work? If you’re American studies major Mollie Welch ’16, it’s through teaching creative and expository writing skills to urban children who have faced serious obstacles in their lives and need help building a foundation for their futures.
Her successful application for SEE-Beyond funding explained her plans for a summer with 826NYC: The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. “Interning at 826 will allow me to spend time building and growing with the children who will become the multicultural, multifaceted America of the future.” She saw her summer as “a shift from culture study to culture therapy.”
Professor Dan Nathan wrote in support of her application, “We were impressed with Mollie's letter and her ability to link her academic studies and training to her internship,” adding, “826NYC also looks like a fun organization. We are pro-fun.”
Turns out both of them were spot on. “My experience is going wonderfully,” Welch said in mid-July. “This week the Summer Filmmakers program for students age 9 to 13 began, and I’ve been surrounded by excited, enthusiastic, and silly kids who are writing screenplays for their 10-minute films. Beyond that, I get to work creatively, coming up with new writing prompts and games for after-school tutors and researching effective academic incentive programs.”
To co-lead the filmmakers’ program, Welch has learned how to use new equipment and software such as InDesign and Final Cut Pro. She says, “The new skills I’m learning will make me more marketable in fields such as publishing and film, not to mention the nonprofit sector.”
Skidmore’s SEE-Beyond (Summer Educational Experiences—Learning Beyond Campus) program awards $4,000 grants to the strongest applicants from a wide variety of academic areas to support summer opportunities that apply their classroom learning to the real world and clarify their post-college plans. Welch is one of 20 SEE-Beyond students this year. Please click here for information on this year's awardees.~ By Peter MacDonald
