Erin Gruwell featured at Starr's Founder's Day

ALBION -- Hundreds sniffed and wiped tears from their eyes as Erin Gruwell recounted her days as a public school teacher in Long Beach, California.

Aided by clips from her appearance on "Primetime Live" and a Hollywood film made about her, the former teacher Gruwell told the heart wrenching tales of her 150 students in Long Beach who went from hopelessness to success through the power of writing and positive reinforcement.

Gruwell co-wrote "The Freedom Writers Diary", which was made into the 2007 film "Freedom Writers" starring Hillary Swank. She was the guest speaker at Starr Commonwealth's 97th-anniversary Founder's Day celebration.

About 155 students from Starr attended her speech, the highlight of the day's celebration, along with hundreds of teachers and members of the public.

The day honors the founding of Starr, an organization that provides overnight stays, day activities and foster care for children with histories of drug, criminal, family or other problems.

During her speech, Gruwell compared the 155 Starr students to the 150 students whom she helped graduate from high school and go to college. She talked about how children need positive reinforcement, not punishment.

Martin Mitchell, Starr president and chief executive officer, awarded Gruwell with Starr's Child Advocacy Award for her work with her students in Long Beach and for forming the nonprofit organization Freedom Writers Foundation. Several Starr alumni also were awarded with scholarships at the ceremony.

Gruwell had the chance to meet Starr students in a session Sunday morning.

"That's why I'm not wearing any mascara," she said at a press conference, laughing at her inability to keep her eyes tear-free. She described Starr as close to heaven for her, a place for "celebration of humanity."

The college campus-style atmosphere and the mantra that "no child is a bad child" were characteristics that Gruwell said she admired.

"I hope when you have the opportunity to speak about this place, you can speak about the magic that happens here," Gruwell said during her speech, addressing the students in the audience. "Envision something bigger for yourself. Come back here and get scholarships. Feel proud and realize this is your family."

After the press conference, Gruwell met Starr alumnus and scholarship winner Jeffrey Weinthal. Weinthal was one of the first students with Asperger Syndrome to go through the program, Mitchell said.

"How would you characterize this place?" Gruwell asked him. "I would call it magic. What would you call it?"

Starr is about dedication, caring and investment in wellbeing, Weinthal replied.

"It's like I've come home," he said.
Click here to link to the Battle Creek Enquirer story with photos.