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Conversation With Author Laura Sibson

Sometimes speaking up for what is right is scary, even to your own family. Author Laura Sibson’s debut novel The Art of Breaking Things deals with just this – speaking up about assault to protect those who are vulnerable. Laura visited today for a Conversation With with the students, who have been reading the novel for the past several weeks. Laura has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and published The Art of Breaking Things this summer. 

The novel’s main character, Skye, has been using partying as a way to deal with trauma from long ago.The book follows Skye processing her trauma in a way that feels very real, and ultimately shows the reader that there are better ways to heal from trauma than turning to substances, and that speaking up for what’s right is the most important thing, even if it has consequences.

The students responded very positively to the novel and the discussion, despite the difficult subject matter. Senior Olivia told Laura that The Art of Breaking things is her favorite book that she’s read at TCS! “After reading the book, the talk gave me more insight in the book, and it raised a lot more questions. She said a lot of things that will stick with me, like how people will turn to unhealthy behaviors when they don’t know how to cope,” Olivia said. Sophomore Joshua responded that he enjoyed the discussion because “she gave a good perspective on the book. I like how she related it to events in her own life.” Destiny, also a sophomore, said “she knows how to write- she added a lot of emotions. She knows how to make a reader interested.” 

We appreciate The Ivy Bookshop for arranging this visit to our school and we are very grateful to Laura Sibson for coming to share insights on the book the students have been reading. We enjoyed being able to discuss the difficult subject matter in a mature way. Laura has given us a lot to think about- thank you Laura for your great discussion!

Conversation With Fleesie Hubbard

This Friday’s Conversation With featured Fleesie Hubbard, a professional in the public health field. Fleesie holds an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University and a Master of Science from University of Baltimore. Although she now lives and works in California, Fleesie has been a part of the TCS community her whole life, having been born in Remington.

Fleesie is part of an organization called Maryland ENT Abroad that organizes a “medical mission trip” to different countries in need of support for head and neck surgeries. Ear, nose, and throat doctors/surgeons, also known as ENTs, anesthesiologists, and nurses sign up to attend the trips. The group chooses countries that are deficient in iodine. Iodine deficiencies can cause goiters, growths that cause difficulties eating and swallowing as well as low self esteem and sometimes ostracization. In addition to goiter surgeries, the team does cancer related surgeries and hundreds of physicals and ear exams. 

Fleesie’s job during the mission trips is to coordinate the sometimes complex aspects of traveling and practicing medicine abroad. A lot of planning goes into the trips, from arranging who will attend, to getting equipment through Customs, to finding a hospital to operate in. Fleesie emphasized that when contacting hospitals to work with, she makes it clear that they want to work with the hospital staff and learn from them too; the service is a reciprocal relationship. Fleesie says working in these countries makes her appreciate her circumstances. “It puts your reality into perspective and makes me appreciate my life.” Thank you Fleesie for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come back and visit the TCS students!