Gerstell Academy senior, Erin Yelland named a winner in the Intellectual Freedom Challenge
The Gerstell community wishes to congratulate senior Erin Yelland on being named a winner in the recent National English Honor Society (NEHS) Intellectual Freedom Challenge. Erin’s essay, “The Dangers of Banning the Beauty of the World” focused on the value of free and open access to reading materials and highlighted The Giver by Lois Lowry, a popular work of fiction that is read by many middle school students.
One of the themes of the novel, a futuristic and dystopian depiction of the life of Jonas, a 12-year-old boy, includes critical thinking which Erin believes leads to change and aligns well with the Gerstell curriculum. Erin shares “Without this great novel in classrooms or libraries children and others will not understand that sacrifice is a part of life, that conformity is not beneficial for one’s health and for society, and that critical thinking is the backbone of a working democracy.”
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One of the themes of the novel, a futuristic and dystopian depiction of the life of Jonas, a 12-year-old boy, includes critical thinking which Erin believes leads to change and aligns well with the Gerstell curriculum. Erin shares “Without this great novel in classrooms or libraries children and others will not understand that sacrifice is a part of life, that conformity is not beneficial for one’s health and for society, and that critical thinking is the backbone of a working democracy.”
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
