Significant Contributors to the Field of Writing Honored at American Writers Museum Annual Benefit OnWord
September 17, 2024 (CHICAGO) โ ย The American Writers Museum (AWM) held its annual benefit OnWord on September 9, where among the honorees was Chicago broadcast power couple Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra; poet and influential educator Peter Kahn; and journalist and bestselling author Susan Orlean. The event, chaired by Jay and Robin Hammer, Amanda and John Rutledge, and Ally and Suzette Bulley, raised an impressive $820,000 for the museum’s operations. Through its various initiatives and programs, including the new “Field Trip in a Box” offering, the AWM continues to inspire and educate individuals about the power of the written word.
Peter Kahn, also known as “PK,” leads poetry programming in eight Central Ohio schools and is founder of the largest school-based spoken word poetry club at Chicago-areaโs Oak Park River Forest High School, which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary. His former student and co-editor of the poetry anthology Respect the Mic, poet Dan “Sully” Sullivan, presented him with the Inspiration Award, highlighting Kahn’s dedication and influence on his students. Sullivan praised Kahn’s commitment to education, stating, “When I considered education early on as a career path, I remember PK saying to me ‘…know that youโll have to give all of yourself to this.’ And thatโs what Peter has done and thatโs why he is so deserving of this recognition.” Sullivanโs memorable remarks about Kahn and the significant impact he has had on countless students throughout his career, can be found in its entirety on the AWM blog here.
Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra were honored with the Beyond the Page award for their exceptional contributions to advancing the recognition of writers in Chicago, nationally, and worldwide. Peter Sagal, host of NPRโs “Wait, Waitโฆ Donโt Tell Me!,” presented the award to Kurtis and LaPietra, emphasizing their significant impact on the media industry. The couple shared their experiences and insights into their writing careers, accompanied by a captivating photo and video presentation.
Susan Orlean, a long-time journalist for The New Yorker and acclaimed author received the The Founder’s Inspiring Writer Award. Orlean has made a lasting impact on the literary world with her notable works, including The Orchid Thief, The Library Book, and Rin Tin Tin. AWM Board Trustee John Estey presented her with the award, and she engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Peter Sagal about writing, book banning, and her illustrious career.
The AWM also celebrated the winners of the John Estey Student Writing Competition, which awards $10,000 in scholarships and prizes annually. The competition invites teachers to submit entries from 3rd to 12th-grade students, with this yearโs prompt being, “Tradition was safety; change was danger” from Mary Doria Russellโs The Sparrow.
The high school winners are Svara Carmel Narasiah of Mont’Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Ember Bahe of Navajo Preparatory School in New Mexico, and Ruth Anderson, who is homeschooled. The middle school winners are Anessa Brown of Ridgedale Junior/Senior High School in Ohio, Cecily Barrett of Hopkins West Middle School in Minnesota, Sofia Ou of Eastern Middle School in Maryland, and Makayla Gholar of Ashburn Community Elementary School in Illinois. The elementary school winners are Yuyei Wang of Rehoboth Elementary School in Delaware, Annabelle Zhao of Hudson Way Immersion School in New Jersey, and Charlotte Brunner of Fairview South School in Illinois.
About the American Writers Museum
The American Writers Museum is the first museum of its kind in the United States. The mission of the American Writers Museum is to excite audiences about the impact of American writers – past, present and future – in shaping our collective histories, cultures, identities, and daily lives. The museum is located at 180 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601, and offers something for every age group including permanent exhibits and special galleries highlighting Americaโs favorite works and the authors behind them. Tickets to the museum are $16 for adults, $10 for seniors, students, and teachers. Free for members and children ages 12 and under. To inquire about discounted rates for groups of 10 or more, including adults, student travel groups, and University students, visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org/visit/groups/ or call 312-374-8765. Museum hours are ThursdayโMonday, 10 AMโ5 PM. For more information visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org or call 312-374-8790. Follow AWM on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.