The Moth, an organization dedicated to the art of storytelling, sent producers from New York to begin working with seniors here and coach them on how to be a professional storyteller, starting Monday, Dec. 2. This is the first time that producers from The Moth have visited the school.

The Moth Shop, one of the many programs that the organization does, is a workshop that is run by Moth and Portland Literary Arts personnel. Seniors had the opportunity in their English classes to compose a short, narrative story based off of the theme “Don’t look back.” Only a few students were chosen to be involved in the workshop and to develop their performing skills with professionals. Seniors Lily Cichon, Crystal Grisham, Jacelyn Davis, Raena Cabine, Ryan Coddington and Chido Nmereole were selected and shall perform this Friday in the auditorium.

“It feels dope [to be selected]! I don’t even remember being entered it’s an honor to know that people from outside your area respect your stuff and what comes off your dome. My ma and dad were hype when they heard!” Nmereole said.

Due to the perseverance of SUN Americorps member Hannah Bushner, the school was put on a list to contact about having The Moth Shop come and do workshops. She played phone tag with The Moth producers and Portland Literary Arts to find out what it would take to get them to come here, and after a few months, she got a call from Portland Literary Arts, one of the programs The Moth works with.

“I didn’t think I would hear back from them because I thought they probably got a bunch of phone calls from schools who wanted to do this,” Bushner said.

Bushner even went to downtown Portland to meet with people from Portland Literary Arts to discuss what it would take to bring The Moth Shop here.

“I realized that it takes a really big commitment from the school,” Bushner said. “It’s kind of a big commitment for all: the school, Portland Literary Arts and The Moth.”

From there, the English department worked with The Moth and Portland Literary Arts to plan for the event.

Before now, some students had not even heard of The Moth or knew what it was about.

“Before this year, I had never heard of The Moth program, and I think it’s really cool,” senior Marissa Reisen said.

Reisen is one of the seniors who has submitted her story in the hopes of getting to be involved in the workshops at this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I’ve always liked creative writing, but in high school, we haven’t had many chances to practice our skills, so it seemed like a good opportunity to practice,” Reisen said.

Out of the prompts students were given, Reisen chose this: “Tell us about a time you took things (or yourself, or your life) in a new direction.”

“I wrote about the time that I decided to perform an individual solo dance at regional and national competitions,” Reisen said.

Senior Raena Cabine also decided to submit a story to The Moth.

“I would mostly be nervous [performing] about becoming emotional because it is a topic that is very close to me. I’m hoping to show someone that no matter how bad your past is, no matter what you’ve been through, you can always decide your own outlook on life,” Cabine said.

Students who are chosen to perform and go through the workshop process are also able to receive free tickets from Portland Literary Arts to attend the Moth Mainstage show at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30.

“I sang there with Concert Choir last year, and the hall is breathtaking. I would feel so honored to be able to watch the best storytellers perform there. It would be so inspiring,” Reisen said.

The workshop process began the first week of December, and seniors will perform in front of their class and the freshmen houses at the end of the week.