By Sophia Ray, Eagle Journalism

After reading the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, Mrs. Ferguson’s Accelerated English 1 students created mental health posters that explored one character's mental health and shared resources that could help them. “The Scarlet Ibis” is always a favorite for Ms. Ferguson’s students. It is very depressing, and by the end, the character “Brother” is left to deal with his grief and guilt. Students really get into the story, even getting involved in discussions about the foreshadowing and other hidden details. Many students are devastated by its ending, so being able to work together and talk through it makes things more positive. Through this project, students could freely discuss mental health and the pain of loss. The posters they created allowed them to observe their own struggles alongside Brother and realize that whether fictional or real, everyone experiences pain. 

Mrs. Ferguson’s next project for her English 1 class is a crime scene investigation for "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, which they will read in October. Lastly, Mrs. Ferguson would like to give a shout-out to her classes for their hard work and says that she is lucky to be their teacher.