Journalist, author, screenwriter and extraordinary storyteller, Rafael Alvarez, returned to the school to talk with the students for this week's Conversation series. He started the Conversation by interacting with each student learning about his or her interests and plans while sharing ideas and contacts to support each one. Rafael then fielded a broad range of questions from the students on topics as varied as his travel experiences to his inspiration for writing to the issues of the day. He had taken two trips on merchant ships earlier this year - one across the Atlantic and another across the Pacific. While he speaking highly of our school, he also said one of the best ways to get an education was to travel and experience places and lives very different from your own.
Rafael 's connection with our school goes back nearly 50 years when he was a reporter for the Baltimore Sunpapers. Since that time, he has written many books and also worked in Hollywood writing for television and film including two years on The Wire with David Simon. He reinforced the teaching in the school that everyone has a story and that much is to be learned from taking the time to interact and listen.
The students have started reading his book "Don't Count Me Out: A Baltimore Dope Fiend's Miraculous Recovery" as part of their English literature class.
We appreciate Rafael's generosity of time with us over the years and for always responding when we ask him to come in to talk with the students.
https://baltimoretraces.umbc.edu/projects/greektown/rafael-alvarez/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Alvarez...
