Stevens High School can now add published authors and illustrators to its resume of cool things the students have done.

Things to do in the Black Hills, and A Compilation of not so Scary Stories were released earlier this year in a private book release for students and staff at the high school.

Mrs. Williams and Ms. Bias’ 9th and 10th grade English classes took the initiative this year to tell their stories about what they like to do in the Black Hills and what they have a powerful memory about. “I always think about hunting and fishing and that is one memory that keeps popping into my head.” said author Briley Hoellein.

Other author’s tapped into family heritage and memories. Author Savannah Kraskey talked about how important her heritage is, “I wrote my piece on the pow wow because it gives me the opportunity to share my religion with other people.” While Alyssa Byrd wrote about a fond, family memory, “I wrote it on the buffalo at Custer State park because I went there one time with my dad in the summer.”

Once all of the stories and illustrations were in place, the students were able to get them published. The students worked in coordination with Ms. Coyne and Mrs. Johnson’s students to come up with the illustrations for the books. “Our students were given a written description to ponder. They also spent time visiting with the authors about their story details to capture the essence of each story’s theme.” said Ms. Coyne.

Students orally presented their stories at the book release to an audience of their peers.