Ryan Smithson - Schuylerville Central Schools, Schuylerville, NY

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Young Army veteran/author sharing experiences and writing advice with students

Call the Communications Office at (518) 695-3255, ext. 1245 for more information on this story.

february 26, 2010

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, author/veteran Ryan Smithson will discuss his powerful book, “Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI,” with Schuylerville Jr.-Sr. High School students. The book recounts Smithson’s tour of duty in Iraq as a young Army engineer. The event, presented as part of Schuylerville Central School District’s Arts-in-Education Program, will not only give students a glimpse into Smithson’s war experiences, but will also focus on how writers can turn personal experiences into memoirs. Students enrolled in Creative Writing, English 11 Honors, Writer’s Workshop and Book Club will participate.

Background on Ryan Smithson
On September 11, 2001, Ryan Smithson watched in horror as terrorists attacked the United States. As a high school student in East Greenbush at the time, he wanted to do something to help his country. He admits at the beginning of his book that he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He writes, “Teens want to know what they should do for the rest of their lives. But how can people with no life experience outside of their crappy after-school jobs and awkward, hormone-induced dating life know what they’re supposed to do in adulthood?”

He makes a decision to join the Army reserves as a heavy equipment operator. Once his basic training was complete, he as shipped off to Iraq. Upon returning home, Smithson uses his writing as a way to help him deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His writing is straightforward, honest and powerful; the most poignant passages are those related to his interactions with Iraqi children and his fellow soldiers.

Click here to view an interview with Ryan Smithson that appears on the Barnes and Noble Web site.

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Schuylerville, NY 12871

(518) 695-3255

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