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» The Write Stuff



Simmons 2005 graduate Sarah Casilli with promising pal Taiesha Cameron (2005)
This year, more than 175 Simmons employees, graduate students, and alumnae/i enjoyed a special correspondence with middle school students from the James P. Timilty School in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. From January to May, the adults and students participated in the Promising Pals writing initiative, a Timilty School program that highlights literacy and mentoring while giving students exposure to the professional world.

The Pals corresponded through letters and e-mails; volunteers this year were encouraged to incorporate the theme, "The 'Write' Time to Shine," into their letters - sharing memorable times in their lives, including lessons learned over the years. This is the fourth year that Simmons has been involved in Promising Pals.

The writing relationships culminated in June, when the Pals met during a breakfast at the Timilty School. Simmons volunteers joined hundreds of other Boston-area participants, who together wrote to all 654 of the school's students. Also attending the event were some high-profile Promising Pals: Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Massachusetts Commissioner of Education David Driscoll.

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Promising Pals program, the school unveiled a "Wall of Fame" recognizing long-term Promising Pals for their support and participation. Outgoing Simmons President Daniel Cheever and Stephen London, director of Simmons's Scott/Ross Center for Community Service, were among the six initial inductees. President Cheever has been a participant in the Pals program for more than 10 years, and an enthusiastic advocate of Simmons's involvement. He was recognized for his generosity to the Timilty students, including sometimes corresponding with two pals in one year, and for hosting his pal and other Timilty students for a day of sailing on his boat.

Professor London's enthusiasm and longtime involvement with the Timilty includes participating as a Pal, overseeing the service-learning students who help with the Promising Pals program, and planning and implementing Global Service Day, which brings Timilty sixth-graders to Simmons for a day of service activities and educational awareness.

Carolyn Grimes, director of graduate service programs at the Scott/Ross Center and coordinator of the Simmons/Promising Pals partnership, and Studio Five - Simmons's student-run, creative shop (http://www.simmons.edu/about/news/focus/481.shtml) which regularly produces the Promising Pals invitation and program book  - also were applauded for contributing to the success of the Pals program.