The Telling Room at Oak Hill High School, Wales, ME - Buy the student chapbook

At The Telling Room, we empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. As a literary arts education organization focused on young writers ages 6 to 18, we seek to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for our students. We believe that the power of creative expression can change our communities and prepare our youth for success both now and in the future.

When artist Tanja Hollander approached us about a potential collaboration—it was an easy yes. An opportunity for writing, self-reflection, audience, and creating a bridge with a local artist perfectly aligned with what we value. Our middle and high school summer campers were able to capture their stories through their relics. Whether writing about a bent pin to hold their hijab, or a runner's bib from their first 5K, students dug deep within their drawers and themselves to find the things that would serve as a time capsule of their young lives. Said 16 year-old camper Willow Croce, "I had a lot of fun choosing my items because I have a box filled with small things that hold a lot of meaning to me. It was so interesting to look through the whole box and be able to almost relive some of the experiences in my head." - Sonya Tomlinson, Young Writers and Leaders Program Lead

Addison, Age 17, Sabattus, ME, Student, older sister, and Mc Donald’s Employee

It brought up good memories that I had almost forgotten about.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Julia, Age 17, Litchfield, ME, Student, CNA

I tried to do things from my everyday life, things that I didn’t realize had meaning until you sit down and think about their meanings. These items were mostly gifts, so it gives me great memories and admiration about the people who gave them to me.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Julie, Age 17, Litchfield, ME, Student/Student teacher

It was nice looking back on the nostalgia of the past.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Amalie, Age 16, Sabattus, ME, Aspiring Journalist

Some of these things didn't mean much until I pulled them out and each had some individual memory. Humans do so many things that remembering it all is nearly impossible, so there's probably a reason I remembered these things the most.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Jeremy Young, Age 42, Lewiston, ME, Husband, Father of Two, English Teacher, Soccer Coach

Really interesting--I didn't realize how many things that I've kept that would seem trivial to others unless I explained their significance.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Maverick, Age 18, Wales, ME, Student/Ice cream scooper

Not very difficult to choose what I was going to bring. I just remember that I had a collection of tiny trinkets. I used to be a collector of many items.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Mars, Age 17, Litchfield, ME, Student

It was kind of hard, because I wanted to share quite a few. And though I described those items, I still couldn't get quite all I wanted out with words, but at least I know the meaning held with them.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)

Faith, Age 17, Sabattus, ME, Department Manager

It made me realize how important “insignificant” items are to me. They bring back memories and feelings I forgot about.

(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)