For 12 teens in the Fairfax County juvenile court system, at least one courtroom visit brought smiles, hope and a glimpse into a potentially brighter future.
They weren’t in court as defendants this time; they were there as honorees of the Creative Corner inaugural celebration. Each of the teens wrote poems for the court’s biweekly newsletter, "Full Court Press," and both the court officials and the teens got the chance to get together for a different kind of gathering, Tuesday, March 20, at the historic Fairfax Court House.
"It’s so good to have a positive moment and to share your honors," said Teena Grodner, chief judge of the court. "You are important; you have accomplished a lot."
Court officials and staff compiled more than 40 poems written last year by the court-involved juveniles and turned them into a book called "Sparks of Imagination." Susan Schiffer, a chairperson on the newsletter committee, had the vision to feature a couple of the writings in each newsletter edition, said Grodner. Nobody knew how successful the idea would become.
"Within about a week, we had enough to fill two newspapers," said Grodner.
The writings in "Sparks of Imagination" all appeared in newsletters last year. The court plans to make the celebration an annual event and hopes the poetry keeps on flowing from the young writers’ imaginations.
James Dedes, director of court services, said the writing helps deal with thoughts and feelings that the children might otherwise act out in different, and potentially illegal, ways.
"Each of us learns and goes through life with different experiences and challenges," said Dedes. "Writings help [us] deal with thoughts and expressions."
In a poem entitled "Anger," Kevin Fitzpatrick releases the anger he feels toward himself about the way he tends to act out his anger. In this case though, he does it through words, which somehow defy the cliché by speaking louder than his actions ever have. The 50 or so people in the courthouse listened carefully to what he had to say, including the judges and other parents. It was that power of language that Alan Cheuse, the guest speaker at the celebration, wanted to make sure the young writers understood.
Cheuse, a George Mason University English professor, author and contributing commentator on NPR’s "All Things Considered," read the lyrics of a popular rap song to the honorees. The song, "Fight the Power," was a popular 1980s hit from the rap innovators, Public Enemy.
"The language in this song is the power," said Cheuse.
CHEUSE SAID that while he doesn’t usually work with such young writers, each of the children "demonstrated a necessary sense of energy and enterprise."
"You can’t begin to write without those elements," he said.
The young writers, many of whom had never tried to write before, differed from professional and student writers in one very important way though — they haven’t read much. Reading is how writers and poets advance as an artist, said Cheuse, just as sculptors advance by looking at sculpture, and musicians grow by listening to other music.
"It is the power of our imagination that makes us alive and gives us life beyond our physical bodies," said Cheuse.
They took their experiences and put them into words — a talent that Cheuse said singles them out as writers. It’s the ability to put their experiences, which have been painful and agonizing based on their poems, and transferring that into a creative medium. As Cheuse described the Public Enemy lyricists, "they don’t just suffer, the pass that suffering along [through words]."
For Brigitte Pierola the writing came out of boredom. The 14-year old said she kept looking at the walls when she was locked up, and she needed something to keep her mind busy.
"I was just thinking of a way to express myself," she said.
Brigitte’s mother, Maria Illanes, said she’s so proud of her writing. She knew Brigitte had talent when she drew some pictures in fourth grade, and she was so excited to see that talent again.
"She made a mistake, but I know she’s very smart," said Illanes. "I’ve always known she’s very smart. I’m very happy."
Schiffer said it’s incredible to see the children getting recognized by adults, especially in the court.
Another newsletter committee chairperson, Lucinda Ross, said it was exciting to see how the writing brought some of the teens out of their shell. Hector Olvra, 17, just graduated from the boys’ probation house with a 3.6 grade point average, she said. He was someone who always kept his feelings to himself, so the writing has brought something out of him, she said.
"I want to keep writing," said Hector. "It makes me happy; it makes me express myself in positive ways."
That positive expression is exactly what the court celebrated. Children and their families come to the courts in times of great stress, said Dedes, so coming together in a time of happiness is something everyone appreciates.
Court officials hope to encourage future juveniles in the court system to also contribute writings, so the celebration can continue in future years. They also encouraged those who already contributed writings to continue to contribute, even if they are no longer involved in legal issues with the court. Cheuse agreed and told the children to keep using their language and the power of it to express themselves and grow as artists.
"Don’t just fight the power, but become the power," said Cheuse.