5 November 2019
Douglas Androsiglio
Each generation has own set of gifted story spinners. Generations before us were fortunate with Homer, Shakespeare and Dickens. However, anyone can be a storyteller – they just need a little experience and an opportunity to share their story.
The Kraemer Family Library, UCCS Presents and the Story Project will hold the 6th annual TaleSpin Storytelling Competition to provide that platform for students. Whether it is a story about a life lesson learned or a work of fiction, all students can participate for the chance to win prizes.
When judging the stories, David Duarte, intergenerational librarian at Kraemer Family Library, said, “A lot of it has to do with your presence, your clarity. Do people understand what the point of your story was? People tend to respond to things that are humous or spooky. It’s really just a chance for our students to do what they really want.”
Judges will be paying special attention to stories that can resonate across all age ranges.
“Intergenerational, in this context, means communication from one age group to another,” Duarte explained. “We don’t mean an older generation imparting wisdom onto the next. What we mean is that it is important for people across generations to communicate with some level of respect and reciprocity. People who are older than us are going to have a lifetime of experience and some viewpoints that we may challenge, but we can also understand that they have seen some things that we didn’t.”
Storytelling goes far beyond entertainment. Stories teach its listeners about the unfamiliar: cultures, morals and values, education, etc.
“Likewise,” Duarte said, “as we age ourselves, we may not be aware of what younger generations are experiencing. We could learn from them and help them navigate their lives.”
The top three winners will receive $300 in cash prizes and will have a chance to have their winning stories heard on the KRCC program, The Story Project. Those who participated in the October 24th workshops will tell their stories first, but it is open to anyone with a story to tell.
The event will be held Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Chapman Foundations Recital Hall. The event is free and open to all.