Feeling a little anxious these days? Us too. It seems like no matter how hard you try, it’s very easy to find yourself consumed by the coronavirus and the “what happens next?” scenarios.
Pamela Smith, LPC, CEAP, is a licensed professional counselor with years of experience in individual and family counseling. If you start to feel anxiety creep in—about COVID-19, career changes, or even cabin fever with children—here are 5 actions she suggests that can help you regain some control.
Try square breathing. Imagine a box: breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, breathe out for four counts, and hold for four counts. “This gets you to do some deep breathing but your head is in the game. You are less likely to let your mind start thinking of those stressful things. Because you have to count,” Smith explains. Her advice is to take is slow and don’t worry about quantity. Even just three or four breaths can help you reset.
Start a gratitude journal. At night before you go to bed, Smith recommends writing down three things that happened during the day that you are grateful for—no matter how small. “When you write, the information goes to a different part of your brain, you process it better than just thinking about it,” she explains. Then after you turn off the light and try to sleep, replay those three things in your mind. If you aren’t a writer, try bullet points or even draw a picture, she says.
Limit time watching the news and surfing social media. There is a big difference between staying informed and staying immersed in the daily news grind. “Don’t leave the news on 24/7 a day and when you get on social media, set a time limit,” Smith says. It’s easy to start clicking on every single opinion article but your mental health can’t handle an overload of negativity.
Practice mindfulness. For those unfamiliar with the term, mindfulness is about “staying in the here and the now,” Smith says. “Right now, we are so worried about the future and what’s going to happen. But we forget what we are doing right now.” Being mindful means you focus on the moment you are in. For example, when anxiety starts to build, focus on three things you see, three things you hear and three things you smell. “This allows us to re-center ourselves,” Smith says. “This is who I am right now. Let me move forward right now.”
Get moving, preferably outside. “I know for me, I was going to the Y and exercising four or five days a week so I’m struggling a bit,” she says. “Moving our body is so critical for not only our physical health but our mental health.” Whether it’s going for a walk or doing some gardening work, you will feel better after getting some fresh air and working up a sweat.
Need Some Fresh Air?
5 Local Trails Worth Checking Out
While “social distancing” continues, you might be searching for some new outdoor activities. Central Virginia is home to so many incredible hiking options—from easy hills to challenging climbs—but we particularly love these 5 local spots.
The Alpine Trail at Lynchburg’s Riverside Park Take care of your body and your mind with a hike on the Alpine Trail, the first dedicated hiking trail in Lynchburg. The Alpine Trail was built during the 1920s and ’30s when visitors could cross the James River onto “YMCA” island, which is now known as Treasure Island.
This secluded path winds through the steep, wooded hillside of Riverside Park off Rivermont Avenue—offering spectacular views of the James River. Nature lovers will also adore the frequent sightings of woodland birds, including migrating hawks.
Length: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Restrictions: Since the slope of the hill drops almost vertically onto the railroad tracks hidden below, this trail is not recommended for small children or individuals with disabilities. Strollers and bicycles are prohibited.
Where to Enter: Look for a marked entrance sign just past the Riverside Park Overlook. An entrance to the other end of the trail is found near the Fink Deck Truss Bridge.
New London Tech Trails
New London Tech Trails in Bedford County Perfect for hiking, trail running and mountain biking, the New London Tech Trails—built in 2017—is one of the area’s newer outdoor destinations. Although the trail system was designed as a “power lunch” option for employees in the New London Business and Technology Center park, it is open to the public as well.
With 6.5 miles of multi-use trails on 500+ acres, you have plenty of room to explore with friends, family, or even your furry companion. Length: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. These are smooth rolling terrain trails with limited trip hazards and clear lines of sight. Options: There are 5 color-coded trails to choose from—the longest loop is 4.3 miles. Where to Enter: The New London Business and Technology Center park is located off U.S. 460 at Meade Road.
The Cole Mountain Loop in Amherst County Wait—or is it Cold Mountain? Apparently both names are acceptable for this hike in the George Washington National Forest. (But Cole is the “official” one.)
Hikers of all skill levels are welcome on this loop that’s a part of the Appalachian Trail. You can make it a workout… or take it slow and observe nature along the way.
The best part about this hike—the Cole Mountain apex is a nod to The Sound of Music (you know, the part at the very beginning where Julie Andrews is running through the field surrounded by gorgeous mountains).
After making the trip up to the top, Cole Mountain hikers reach a wide-open pasture with panoramic views on all sides. It’s the perfect backdrop for selfies, professional shoots, or even a song from your favorite musical. Once you see the view, you may be moved to do pretty much anything.
Length: About 6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet Difficulty: Moderate How to Get There: Take Route 60 west out of Amherst. Turn right on Coffeytown Road and then another right on Wiggins Spring Road. (Note: Wiggins Spring Road is a forest service road. The drive can get bumpy.) Where to Enter: The parking area is at the end of the trail but you enter about .2 miles north, on the blue-blazed Hotel Trail. Follow those blue blazes to stay on track. Take It a Step Further: Make the hike longer by combining the Cole Mountain loop with the nearby Mount Pleasant hike on the next ridge. Together, they make an 11.3-mile circuit. Be sure to pack a backpack and plan accordingly for this longer journey.
Sharp Top Trail in Bedford County With its impressive summit offering a 360-degree view of the region, Sharp Top Trail at Peaks of Otter is a bucket list hike for Central Virginia natives. Park at the Visitor Center to begin your journey.
Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Time: Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzard’s Roost, which is a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. What to Pack: Water—none is available at the top. Professional camera—to capture amazing photos.
Mike Donahue Trail in Campbell County Part of the Liberty Mountain Trail System, this particular trail is one of many you’ll find near the Snowflex Centre. We like it because it’s an easy 1-mile loop without a lot of elevation changes. (So you wouldn’t have to worry about getting stuck carrying a complaining child, for example.)
Length: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Where to Enter: The Trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Snowflex Centre. Take It a Step Further: For those wanting more of a challenge, try out the Lake Trail and Dirty Ridge trails nearby. Nearby Attractions: Once you’ve finished your hike, take the family over to the LU Monogram and grab some photos as you overlook the city.
Best of Party 2020 Recap
The Virginian Hotel was transformed into a “Swing Era” party on Feb. 1, as Lynchburg Living celebrated our 2020 Best Of Lynchburg winners.
Guests were encouraged to dress in costume—and many did! They enjoyed delicious food provided by 10 local restaurants, with Simply Vanilla Gourmet Cheesecakes taking home the evening’s Best Restaurant Award. The evening also included jazz music, a talented magician and green screen fun.Congratulations again to all of our winners—and thank you to everyone who helped make our Best Of Lynchburg Party such a success!Photography by Jenna McKenney.
Central Virginia Bridal Showcase 2020 Recap
Thank you for an Incredible Showcase, Lynchburg!
For twenty years, the Central Virginia Bridal Showcase has been a place for top businesses and organizations to provide answers and services to Lynchburg couples who are planning their wedding day. We are inviting you to be part of this spectacular event – with awesome vendors and huge giveaways, the 20th annual Bridal Showcase is an essential event for all brides! Thank you to all of our amazing vendors and to all of the brides, family, and friends that attended the Showcase! We will see you next year!
Thank you to our Sponsor
Sweet Dreams
CENTRA WORKS HARD TO KEEP SLEEPING INFANTS SAFE
Forget what your grandmother, or even your mother, told you about how a baby sleeps best. It could be fatal advice.
Every year researchers are finding new techniques to prevent infants from suffocating in their sleep.
“The biggest thing they taught us was to be sure they are lying on their backs,” said Victoria Solomon, whose daughter was born in September at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Like many new parents, Solomon said she was most concerned about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, when babies die in their sleep for no apparent reason.
Solomon and other mothers are benefitting from a new program being used by Centra, which was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program with the highest designation as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.
“Sleep-related death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids®, said in a news release. “We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families has a significant effect on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids Hospital Certification Program is designed to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths.”
Last summer, Centra began using swaddles on all infants born at Virginia Baptist Hospital, funded by the Centra Foundation. “Right after Ellie Grace was born, one nurse taught my husband how to swaddle while another helped me,” Soloman recalls.
Dr. Holly Turner, a Centra pediatrician, says swaddling infants prevents them from waking when they have a startle response, keeps them warm, and simulates the security of the womb.
One of the newer recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics is to keep the infant in a bassinet or crib in the parents’ bedroom for the first six months to a year. “You are within earshot if the child is having a choking episode or is in any kind of distress,” Dr. Turner said.
While monitors can alert parents to trouble, it’s difficult to see what’s actually happening, she added, so it’s better to have an immediate visual of the baby. It’s also far more convenient for nursing mothers to have the child nearby.
Solomon said she and her husband sleep well with their daughter in the room and that it’s reassuring to know the most up-to-date practices for sleeping infants. “I think SIDS was always a concern for us,” she said.
While infants should be in your room, you should never sleep with them in your bed because of the chance of rolling over and suffocating them, Dr. Turner added, explaining how most SRDs occur at four to five months.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 3,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States in 2017. These deaths occur among infants less than one year old and have no immediately obvious cause.
The three commonly reported types of SUID include: sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), unknown cause, and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. Of those deaths, 1,400 were due to SIDS, about 1,300 deaths due to unknown causes, and about 900 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.
Dr. Turner said doctors still don’t know what causes SIDS, but accidental suffocation and strangulation can be prevented by following safe sleep guidelines, which also include keeping a baby’s sleeping surface firm and free from blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or crib bumpers. “I talk to parents about that until my face is blue,” she said.
Putting infants on their back has proven the best position, Dr. Turner said, because children normally turn their heads if they spit up. On their stomachs they have no way to turn their heads and can suffocate. Dr. Turner also noted that pacifiers can help reduce the chance of SIDS, though it’s not clear why.
All the Centra pediatric nurses and physicians talk to new moms about best sleeping practices, as well as demonstrating them at the hospital while mother and child are there. Women with vaginal births stay 48 hours, while those with Caesarean sections stay 72. New moms also get handouts about safe sleeping. “The more knowledge you give parents, the more numbers [of deaths] decrease,” Dr. Turner said.
Create a Safe Sleep Environment The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
• Place the baby on his or her back on a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet. Use a swaddle or sleep sack. • Avoid use of soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, and soft toys. The crib should be bare. • Share a bedroom with parents, but not the same sleeping surface, preferably until the baby turns one but at least for the first six months. Room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent. • Avoid baby’s exposure to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
Hello, Color!
GO BRIGHT OR KEEP IT LIGHT BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO CRANK UP THE PIGMENT IN 2020
After a long stretch of whites and neutrals, we are extremely excited to announce: color is making a comeback. And if you’re ready to bring some bolder hues (and patterns) into your home, what better place to start than on the walls?
“People are definitely wanting to add in more color,” says Mary Lou Stufano at James T. Davis Paint and Design Center in Lynchburg. “There has been a very strong shift towards the artisanal movement and working with local artists. People are also traveling and bringing back fabrics from other countries that they want to work into their style.”
Mary Lou and fellow James T. Davis designer Kara Oliver not only showed us a few top color choices, they took it a step further and showed us how to style these paint options in your home.
Colors of the Year
While you may have heard about Pantone’s widely publicized “Color of the Year” (their 2020 pick is an elegant Classic Blue), you may not realize that local paint stores, such as James T. Davis, research and prepare their own list of recommendations. What’s even better—it’s not limited to just one color!
From “Mullen Pink” to “On the Nile,” their 2020 lineup includes mostly vibrant, rich colors—with only a few tamer counterparts. The color palette as a whole gives off a formal, traditional vibe. Kara and Mary Lou see these colors working well in one of Lynchburg’s older, historic homes with dark mahogany furniture, even wicker and rattan. But don’t forget to bring in some modern touches so it doesn’t look dated.
“Add maybe a brass and glass coffee table or a very modern piece of art to tone down that traditional feeling,” says Stufano.
If you aren’t quite ready to paint your living room the orange-inspired “Ballet Cream,” Oliver suggests starting small. “Think in small doses. A half bath for example. A homeowner can have some fun with that space,” she says.
Transitional Style
Taking a step down from the Colors of the Year are two “transitional” looks created by our James T. Davis experts. “These are a transition between a traditional and contemporary design. You may see a traditional style or wood furniture but much cleaner lines. Not curly and fussy,” Stufano says.
The colors they chose for these looks—a range of pinks and blues—are not neutrals, but they are soft and feminine, even in their darkest shades.
“Gold accents can play well off the blue,” Oliver says, but adds that silvers would work as well and encourages homeowners to mix metals. “Because they aren’t as glaring and shiny anymore, some metals you can’t even really tell if it’s a gold or a silver.”
One way to bring a metal into a room is with wallpaper. A modern, geometric pattern can give these pink and blue shades a little bit of an edge. Add other textures to draw people in such as velvet, a popular fabric choice. “People like things that feel good, and light plays off of velvet differently than it would a linen,” says Stufano.
If velvet and Laura Ashley–inspired colors have you thinking, “what decade are we in?” don’t fret. “Some colors and textures are definitely coming back into play, but they are being presented differently. For example, we are seeing cleaner, straighter window treatments. None of those valences that used to be popular,” Stufano says.
Overwhelmed By Your Choices? Oliver and Stufano tell clients to find items in their home that they love and bring them to their consultation. Then, they can start choosing some colors around those choices. “This could be a pillow, a fabric, a piece of art. I had someone bring me a shell once,” she says. “For people with new builds or those who are ‘I don’t know where to start,’ this narrows down their selections.”
Showstopper
Spring Tablescapes
Goodbye folded laundry and paperwork—it’s time to return your dining table to its former glory
If a spring brunch or dinner party is on your end-of-winter-celebration checklist, there is an easy way to take your dining area décor to the next level: a styled tablescape. “Tablescapes can elevate furniture, from an incredibly simple table to a hand-me-down set to something brand new,” says Ashley Hilbish, interior designer with Curtains, Blinds & Bath. “They add tons of visual interest to a room that typically gets the smallest budget and is usually left for last when it comes to decorating.”
Looking at your empty table and not sure where to start? Ashley says first, try to block out the colors in the rest of your home. “The table is one place where you can get away with not matching the rest of your space,” she says, adding that great tablescapes have lots of layers as well as contrasting colors.
To show us how it’s done, Ashley created two table settings—in two very different styles—that we hope will inspire you to reclaim your dining table this spring.
Bright & Traditional
Versatility is the backbone of this transitional tablescape that’s perfect for someone trying to incorporate updated pieces into their more traditional home. “It neither screams stuffy or too casual,” Ashley says. “This look can go from full-blown Easter meals with the family to a simple cheese and wine pairing on a sunny afternoon with friends.” In fact, this table setting is so versatile, just switch out your textiles and flowers from season to season—everything else can stay.
Give your table a personal spring touch by painting the names of your guests on eggs.
Ditch the rings and tie your cloth napkins into a bow-tie shape. Also, don’t be afraid to use a mix of metal finishes.
Intricate floral candlesticks are a nod to traditional style. For a finished and cozy look, add white unscented candles.
Ashley encourages clients with longer tables to try using two table runners horizontally instead of one down the middle.
This more formal spring centerpiece features orange tulips alongside a diverse mix of white flowers, pampas grass, and feathered/seeded eucalyptus.
Like What You See? Many of these items from both tablescapes are for sale at Curtains, Blinds & Bath—18458 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551.
Bold & Whimsical
Dark colors, matte finishes and soft textures collide gorgeously in this “moody” tablescape that would fit well in mid-century, boho or modern homes. It gives off a metropolitan vibe—you may even want to pretend you’re brunching with friends in New York or Los Angeles. “Am I saying you can’t mix in grandma’s vintage silver with this for a personal touch and still make it work? Not at all … but I think overall, the textures and finishes—even down to the eucalyptus greens—really make this look on trend,” Ashley says.
Create your own floating plants—these centerpieces are easy to make and work well with most décor styles.
A white boho-inspired runner gives this table setting a more laid-back vibe. For those with a playful spirit, ceramic bunnies give this décor the “spring” touch it needs.
Burgundy Scabiosa gives a pop of color to this arrangement that features delicate pink Quicksand roses.
Select items with varying heights to add dimension and interest.
Soft pink bowls contrast sharply with black plates, fitting in with a modern aesthetic.
This spring, just ask around (or simply pause to listen for the din of coughing, sniffling and sneezing), and you’ll discover that environmental allergies seem to be a common nemesis—especially in deciduous tree–dominated central Virginia. By taking a walk down any typical drugstore aisle, you can see just how prevalent the issue is by the number of “allergy relief” medications that stock the shelves. There are pink pills and green ones, nose sprays and eye drops. Look more closely at those labels, however, and you’ll see the unnerving plethora of potential side effects that result from continued use.
What if there was a more natural way to calm—or even eliminate—those bothersome allergy symptoms?
Nature’s vaccine
“I like to tell people that homeopathy* is a similar concept to that of vaccination,” explains Steffi Wells, a manager at Health Nut Nutrition in Wyndhurst. “Homeopathic supplements introduce your body to specific allergy triggers in order to gradually build up your immunity to those allergens.”
Wells recommends that those who suffer from seasonal allergies get a jump on natural treatments before symptoms begin. “It’s most effective to begin taking homeopathic supplements ahead of the season, starting with a higher dose and reducing the dose as the seasons continues,” she says. “Everyone responds differently, but many of our customers report a reduction in symptom severity—and some even eliminate symptoms altogether.”
So, how do you know which supplement is right for you? Many people have had testing done and know the specific culprits responsible for their sneezing and coughing. If this is you, you’ll be able to choose the perfect single-ingredient tincture from the shelf. And it’s perfectly fine to combine multiple supplements to create an individualized immune-boosting cocktail. “For people who don’t know what their specific trigger is,” says Wells, “the ideal is to take a supplement that has a combination of the most common allergens.” Again, as the body adjusts over time, the dose gradually decreases, with some people able to stop dosing by season’s end.
In addition to the vaccine approach, Wells recommends that allergy sufferers try a natural alternative to prevalent over-the-counter antihistamines: Nettle and Quercetin (both histamine regulators). “This supplement, that combines both, is ideal for immediate relief from sneezing and coughing,” she says. “And it works very well in conjunction with lower-dose homeopathy later in the allergy season.”
Moreover, this approach eliminates the grogginess and dryness often associated with antihistamine use. Although Nettle and Quercetin can be taken daily or as needed, there isn’t the same tolerance buildup like with antihistamines, which can require higher and higher doses for the same level of effectiveness.
Sweet relief
According to Wells, the most precise natural tactic to defend against spring allergies is to savor a few spoonsful of gooey golden goodness every day. “We sell a ton of locally sourced honey,” she says. “The bees have been spreading pollen specific to our region and to this particular year, so they’ve done all the work in identifying exactly the right ingredient.”
Much like the homeopathic supplements, ingesting the honey daily helps your body build resistance. Wells adds, “Taking just a tablespoon in the morning, one midday, and one in the evening can significantly impact allergy symptoms.” Health Nut Nutrition customers report that this sweet treatment is extremely effective—some families purchase a gallon of honey at a time. Bonus: Honey supplies antimicrobial qualities as well, delivering year-round benefits such as potential cold and flu prevention and faster recovery.
Turning to natural remedies isn’t new. In fact, many of the homeopathic ingredients have been used for millennia. And although their initial uses clearly predated laboratory studies, today’s science is demonstrating the hows and whys of these traditional treatments. So, if you’re one of those people who can sense the season’s transition not by the longer days but the number of sneezes, maybe it’s time to consider an alternative to those little pink pills.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
To learn more about natural remedies for allergies or discover the many benefits of natural holistic health, visit the Health Nut Nutrition website at healthnutnutrition.com. Or check out their store located at 1701 Enterprise Drive, and take a tour of all their organic groceries, supplements, and beauty products.
The Buzz March/April 2020
BEHIND THE SCENES
Temperatures were in the teens as we descended on Atelier Studio & Gathering Space January 23 for a styled spring-inspired photo shoot. Inside the Madison Street business, it was all hands on deck (or in some cases, ladders were used) to create two unique table settings—from the perfectly tied napkins to the exquisitely styled flower arrangements.
Later in the day, at the home of Jill Rufus in Forest, the family dog Hershey offered plenty of comedic relief as our freelance photographer, Laura Beth Davidson, worked her magic—(we’re not 100 percent sure, but we think he was subtly telling us he wanted a belly rub?)
Flip to our expanded Home & Garden section on page 25 to see how it all turned out!
Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to Hawaii Poke and Greens in Cornerstone. Hello! to County Smoak on Timberlake Road (near Tiny Town Golf). Goodbye to the Calle Cruz Miami and Uprooted food trucks as the owners relocate to Florida this year. Hello! to Mardel Christian & Education. The book store will open next to Hobby Lobby this spring. Hello! to Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats. The bakery will not be relocating and is staying in Downtown Lynchburg! Goodbye to Whole Health Physical Therapy in Wyndhurst. Goodbye to Waitr in Lynchburg. The app stopped its service here in late January. Hello! to a new location of Batter Bar on Church Street.
Mark Your Calendars
M*A*S*H, The Play March 5-7, 8 p.m. Based on Richard Booker’s 1968 novel about three Army doctors, this Renaissance Theatre performance is full of comic adventures… with a little bit of romance and drama, too. Buy tickets at www.renaissancetheatrelynchburg.org and see our complete Theater Preview Guide starting on page 52.
Empty Bowls 2020 March 21, 10:30 a.m. Raise money for Lynchburg Daily Bread at this 12th annual event at the Academy Center of the Arts’ Warehouse Theater. Your $20 ticket includes a hand-made ceramic bowl (all are donated by local potters), soup tastings, bread, dessert and a beverage. Buy tickets at academycenter.org.
Lynchburg Garden Day April 21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This self-driving tour, part of Historic Virginia Garden Week, features five local properties full of history and unique charm. This year’s lineup includes the octagonal villa and ornamental gardens at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Find more information at www.lynchburggardenclub.org.
Antique Rose Festival & Sale April 25 – May 31 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved Hill City event at Old City Cemetery that’s also the largest antique rose sale in the Mid-Atlantic region. The festival includes a series of special events at the cemetery and downtown. Learn more at gravegarden.org and read more about the history of the festival starting on page 93.
Dance Theatre of Harlem May 2, 7:30 p.m. This dynamic, multi-ethnic ballet company will take the stage at the Historic Academy of Music Theatre. Dance Theatre of Harlem’s performances include classic as well as contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate African American culture. Buy tickets at academycenter.org.
Finding Their Beat
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPLORE EXPRESSION THROUGH HIP-HOP
Photos by Lucas Moore
What happens in Freestyle Fridays, stays in Freestyle Fridays.
That’s the rule teacher Casey Wood has for students in his “Exploring Language and Culture Through Hip Hop” class at E.C. Glass High School, an elective that explores hip-hop and rap as an art form.
As soon as the bell rings on Fridays, the classroom is quickly transformed into a makeshift performance space. Students circle up and huddle around their “DJ booth,” a filing cabinet with a computer and speakers on top. But it does the job as they pass the microphone around and rap about whatever comes to mind.
As the music blasts through the speakers, other students are scattered around the room. Some write, some draw, and others choose to quietly watch the performance unfold.
“The teacher next door is pretty understanding,” Wood jokes. “He doesn’t give his students tests on Fridays since he knows what we’ll be doing in here.”
A Bedford native, Wood began teaching English at E.C. Glass in 2006.
“Growing up, I had a lot of teachers who inspired me,” he said. “When I was halfway through college, I just knew that was what I wanted to do.”
Over the years, Wood wanted to find a more creative way to teach classic literature—a way that was relatable to his predominately black students. He already had a form of Freestyle Fridays in his English classes as a way for students to burn off steam following a long week of learning vocabulary. That led him to present the idea of a hip-hop elective to the administration. A musician himself, Wood thought this could be another way to bridge the gap with his students, since most of them have listened to hip-hop since their childhood.
“I started thinking about how I could connect Charles Dickens to Tupac,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s all about how people use words to touch other people. Words matter and influence our lives, but art looks differently to other people.”
This is the third year Wood has taught the class, which is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It has a strong following, with nearly 100 students enrolled over three sessions.
“We cover poetry, storytelling, some lessons on hip-hop artists, and politics. This year, we’ve introduced a music production continuation of the class where our students can do some recording or DJ,” Wood explained.
The coursework also allows room for creativity. For example, Wood asks students to choose an artist and see how far back they can trace his or her influences—some dating all the way to Mozart. More recently, the students studied Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city” album.
When Tavian Edwards first signed up for the class, he saw it as an easy way to fulfill his graduation requirements. But after he was assigned a project about the meaning behind “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, he realized the impact music has on the world.
“You don’t really listen to the lyrics most of the time,” Edwards said. “But when you sit down and focus on it, you can see how much pain and feeling [Gaye] put into that song and how he wanted to bring the community together.”
Senior Victoria Jenkins also had mixed feelings about the class before it started.
“At first, to be honest, I didn’t know how learning hip-hop from a white teacher was going to go. But I appreciate Mr. Wood’s incorporation of the culture and how he tries to understand what rap music means to us,” Jenkins said, adding that the class is a true safe haven for students.
Senior D’Kiya Jackson agrees, saying many students feel like they can’t truly express themselves while at school—but in this class, there is a different vibe.
“Mr. Wood is open to everything,” Jackson said. “Whether you like poetry or jazz, if you like hip-hop, he’ll allow you to express yourself in any form. He doesn’t exclude anyone. … That’s really important with kids our age.”
Though Freestyle Friday is a time to perform, Wood doesn’t pressure his students to share publicly. Fridays are also a time for students to journal, draw, record or pursue whatever art form they choose. For example, in the weeks after Kobe Bryant’s death, Jackson took time to sketch out a tribute to the basketball player during Friday’s class.
Wood said there are many benefits to giving students open-ended time to be creative.
“It boosts their voice and gives them confidence,” he explained.
And Jenkins said she has seen many classmates come out of their shells this year by embracing the rhythms of rap or hip-hop—regardless of their background.
“It’s not just a certain group of students rapping in the class,” she said. “You got all types of genders, colors… everybody’s rapping. It’s not condensed to one type of person.”
“It’s not the same type of rap either,” Edwards added. “It’s not just heavy beats or snare drums. You can have something that’s more spiritual. Sometimes there’s pan flutes and the beats can switch and become a different type of music.”
The impact this class has had on students continues well after they graduate. Wood says he still keeps in touch with some of his former students.
“Many feel like they’ve found their voice [because of the class],” he said. “That’s how I judge if I’m successful as a teacher.”
As Jenkins, Edwards, and Jackson get ready to graduate in a few months, they are already reflecting on what they’ve learned from Wood and his hip-hop lessons—that anything is possible if you just put yourself, and your voice, out there.
“You have the ability to be open in the world,” Jackson said. “We’re entering a new chapter in our lives and Mr. Wood taught us to be open. Try new things. It’s okay to step out of your comfort zone. I feel like that’s what his class is about. It’s about expressing yourself and being free.”
