With Honors

In this episode of With Honors, "Words in Motion," sophomores Mary and Kara explore the art of poetry and how tools like TPCASTT can transform the way we read and analyze verse. As they walk through the TPCASTT process step by step, they discuss how tone, imagery, and structure shape meaning. They also reminisce about previous classes and why poetry isn’t as intimidating as it first seems. Mary shares how her perspective on poetry has evolved through practice, while Kara reflects on both her and her family's attitudes toward poets like Edgar Allan Poe and Will Shakespeare. Together, they show that poetry analysis isn’t about finding a single right answer, but rather about engaging with the text in a meaningful way.

This episode features inspiring piano music by BlackTrendMusic, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

In this episode of With Honors, sophomores Larissa and Wesley dive into Frieda McFadden’s thriller The Housemaid and the unsettling ways it plays with perception and deception. As they discuss the danger of judging a book by its cover—both literally and figuratively—they reflect on how first impressions can be misleading, not just in literature but in life. Wesley shares how his initial assumptions about The Housemaid were completely upended, while Larissa connects the novel’s themes to the misconceptions she had about taking an Honors English class. Together, they unpack why those snap judgments can be limiting, how their perspectives have shifted, and what this class has taught them about looking beyond the surface.

This episode features inspiring piano music by BlackTrendMusic, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

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In this first episode of With Honors, sophs Mary and Kaylee sit down to reflect on the meaning of birthdays, not just as celebrations but as symbols of fresh starts and second chances. Mary shares why her birthday feels especially significant and how it ties into the lessons she’s learned this year. Kaylee opens up about her regret of staying quiet during Socratic seminars, while Mary wishes she had been more diligent in reading the assigned texts. Together, they explore what they would do differently, why those lessons matter, and how this class has shaped the way they see learning and themselves.

This episode features inspiring piano music by BlackTrendMusic, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.