From July 7th to 18th, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence buzzed with energy, creativity, and joy as we celebrated 15 years of Slice of Bread Loaf! This special two-week program, led by our Director of Education, Karen Kravchuck, brought together Club members in grades 2–5 for a whirlwind of writing, art, performance, and community.
This summer also marked 11 years of Kristine Kannas co-directing Slice — a creative force and constant source of energy, ideas, and heart. Kristine has played an essential role in shaping what makes Slice so meaningful for our kids year after year. Before Kristine joined the team, Karen co-directed the program with Christine Jee, who now works at the Addison Gallery — making this summer’s field trip partnership a beautiful full-circle moment.
Each day, our young participants worked with our passionate and talented group of writing leaders as they dove into dynamic workshops led by inspiring guest artists — exploring everything from storytelling and poetry to puppetry and party planning. Whether they were creating “celebrations in a jar,” working together to plan a party, or crafting music inspired by their love for Bread Loaf, one thing was clear: these kids weren’t afraid to speak up and show off their creativity.
Highlights from the Workshops:
Celebration in a Jar with Yankee Duran
Slices kicked things off by writing wildly exaggerated stories about why they might be late to a party — think magic portals and talking pets! Then they got personal, writing about a special celebration in their own lives and describing its sights, smells, and sounds. To top it off, each Slice decorated a real jar to represent that memory, complete with fairy lights and keepsakes to take home.
The 4th Wall Theater Workshop with Yaneris Collado
Each team created and performed a skit in response to the prompt, “If my voice could change the world.” They learned how to “break the fourth wall” by speaking directly to the audience and brought big ideas and bold performances to the stage.
Party Planning with Nikky Garcia
Nikky surprised us with an original “Slice Party Poem” that celebrated our 15th anniversary — and it was such a hit, we invited her back to perform it again at Family Night! In her workshop, teams worked together to plan the ultimate party using giant Post-it sheets, dreaming up everything from chocolate fountains to dance floors, themed stations, games, and more.
Monster Circus Puppet Show & Workshop with John and Megan Regan of CactusHead Puppets
After an entertaining performance featuring five handmade monster puppets, kids got a behind-the-scenes look at how it all worked. Then, they made their own puppets from wood, ribbon, and paper, and got the chance to perform short skits behind a real puppet stage.
Spreading Kindness with Harlym125
With help from their writing leaders, Slices created heartfelt notes of kindness, encouragement, and celebration. Then, they walked around the Club sharing these messages with staff and fellow members — proving that a few kind words really can go a long way.
"I Love Bread Loaf" Music Workshop with BGCL Music Director Jordan Schuh
Jordan led a collaborative songwriting session celebrating 15 years of Slice. Writing leaders created the chorus, and each team contributed a verse. Jordan and a few leaders played guitar, and together they performed the final song at Family Night in front of proud families.
Beyond the Classroom:
Creativity didn’t stop at the Club. Our members hit the road for two unforgettable field trips — exploring the galleries of the Addison Gallery of American Art with Christine Jee (Manager of School and Community Collaborations) and summer intern Rubi Camacho, and roaming the outdoor exhibits at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. From sculptures to paintings, every piece they saw sparked curiosity, excitement, and imagination — and got their creativity flowing in all kinds of fun ways.
The Slice Book: A Keepsake of Creativity
One of our favorite Slice traditions is creating the Slice of Bread Loaf Book — and this year’s edition is packed with heart. Each Slice and writing leader chose their favorite piece of writing to include, alongside their own illustrations. The book also features team photos and group highlights from our four 2025 teams:
• Girl Power
• TBASS (Team Bread Loaf Musical Alien Boys and Girls Superhero Samurais)
• Blue Rainbow Party Party (yes — Party is in there twice!)
• The Rising Bread Loaf Champs
The stunning cover was designed by Samara T. and Ariani P., and the book includes snapshots with guest artists and from our field trips, capturing the joy and creativity of the entire experience.
The Banner: A Slice Tradition Lives On
Since 2012, our writing leaders have worked together to create a special Slice banner, featuring the year’s theme and signed by everyone who participated. At the end of Family Night, each child and writing leader added their name, marking their place in Slice history. This year’s banner was beautifully designed and painted by Fadia C., with help from Bella O., Christina H., and Ruthsmarie O. It now hangs proudly in the Homework Room — a reminder of this year’s magic and the community that made it happen.
A Night to Remember:
To wrap it all up, families were invited to a final Family Night on July 24th, where our young authors and artists proudly shared their writing, artwork, and performances. The room was full of smiles, applause, and proud faces as parents witnessed the incredible growth their children experienced over just ten days.
This year’s Slice of Bread Loaf was more than just a writing program. It was a celebration of creativity, voice, and belonging. And after 15 incredible years, we’re more inspired than ever by the next generation of storytellers growing right here in Lawrence.
Here’s to the next 15 years — and all the stories still waiting to be told!