The Selma Times-Journal

There is a lot to be said for the value of a pair of fresh eyes, especially in regard to literature.

The city of Selma may be surprised by the way some of the best and brightest young people here perceive their hometown.

Beginning next year, Selma and the world can find out. A student-crafted book entitled &8220;The Songs of Selma&8221; will be sold at the Wallace Community College campus beginning Jan. 7.

The publication is a collection of poems, photos, short stories, and sketched art created entirely by students in the Selma Early College program.

Timeka Ross, a teacher with the Early College, said the project started off simply-as a class project that was assigned as a way to get acquainted with students and find out their writing styles. The topic? Personification. Students were to write a letter to Selma, and personify the city. Once students began to submit work, the teachers in the English and humanities departments quickly realized that their students had talent &045; lots of it.

Creation of the book went side by side with students’ other coursework. They were to use the research they had gathered to write English reports and essays for their poetry, stories, or art.

Masley felt it would be good to have a book with pieces based on students’ life experience in the historical and cultural context of the city. All students enrolled in the Early College were given the chance to contribute. Several students said the process was a learning experience for them, from inspiration to creation and compilation.

Joel McGuire, an Early College senior who created the cover art for the book, said at first he didn’t think he could do it. But he rose to the challenge of fleshing history into poetry and art, and ended up contributing the cover art and poems &8220;This Is My Home&8221; and &8220;Remember Me&8221; to the compilation.

The book will sell for $15. The cost of the book will go toward funding the debate team and the creative

writing department.