Vicky Nordlund And Room 224: Rockville High School's Writing Legacy

VERNON, CT — The teacher who has statistically been the top creative writing coach in Connecticut for the past several years was almost at a loss for words Wednesday.

"I'm emotional ... it's been emotional," Vicky Nordlund said from Room 224 at Rockville High School. "I'm moving stuff around that I want to pass on, packing things I want to keep. Yes ... it's emotional."

This is Nordlund's last semester at RHS after announcing her retirement earlier in the school year. It's No. 34 at RHS — all in Room 224.

In the words of Joyce Hida, a 2017 RHS graduate and a 2021 University of Pennsylvania graduate who currently works in communications for a law firm, "Nordland's World never leaves you."

Room 224 ... Rockville High School ...

For three decades, it's been the epicenter for thinking, creating, sharing, comfort in both joy and solace — and winning — with the RHS creative writing students averaging nearly 100 state, regional and national awards over the past several years, easily tops in Connecticut.

"And this is a public school," Nordlund is quick to say. "When you see who else is winning, it's private schools ... and Greenwich (High School). This is a special place and a special program."

Added, Hida, "The room is a manifestation of how to teach writing at all levels, plus the collective history that has been assembled. You think of the room and say, 'Oh s---, oh my God,' and realize all this is a connection to history and what a great teacher and author she is in her own right. It's always been our own room ... it's writing as a visual art. This has been always a serious class in a whimsical, beautiful, historic room."

And Room 224 has taken on a life of its own over the past 34 years. Norlund cals it "magical." One is greeted by gnomes, a giraffe couch, gargoyles, comfy chairs, posters from Broadway plays students and Nordlund have seen, and murals and quotes on the walls.

There is an entire section of Thank You notes from students, adjacent to national medals.

And THE PODIUM.

RHS Senior Jenny Michaud cherishes THE PODIUM.

"This room has helped me grow so much as a person," she said. "When I first came here, I was quiet. Now, I'm comfortable in a room full of people."

She shared a recent experience when she read at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington.

"In the days leading up to it, I thought I'd be nervous," she said. "Then, I got there, walked in and I wasn't. The class not only teaches writing, put public speaking."

How respected is Nordland? Take a recent honors program overview session at Eastern Connecticut State University, for example. As students were filing in, Dean of Arts and Sciences Emily Todd introduced herself to after noticing the RHS creative writers hoodie on one student.

"I see you are in Vicky's class," Todd said. "You know, we are looking for well-rounded liberal arts students for the honors program, not just the student who does well on the SAT."

Taking the hint, the student applied, was accepted and will attend Eastern as an honors student.

Another school district in the state is building a creative writing based on Rockville's model.

RHS Principal Jason Magao was complimentary.

"It has been my sincere pleasure to work with Mrs. Victoria Nordlund over the past none years," he said. "She is both a talented teacher and writer herself and the students of Rockville High School have benefited tremendously from her insights. I wish her all the best in retirement."

Retirement has translated into some sadness for RHS junior Athena Lavigne but one consolation prize might be preserving Room 224's character. She is spearheading a "save the murals" petition. If she can't have Nordlund, she is reasoning, maybe the students can keep the vibe alive.

"This room means comfort and growth — those are the two words that come to mind immediately," she said. "So much growth comes out of this room. It also feels like home, not a classroom. It's a creative space, a comfortable space. This room creates an environment in which children want to learn."

The petition, she said, is conceptual now. She added, though, it's a serious sentiment.

"This room turns school into a place you want to be," she said. "This room means acceptance."

Senior Kim Yankson pointed to the "history" of the room.

"There is a lot of history in here," she said. "And it's not only the past, but my four years here. We should keep the majesty of this room intact. It means so much to people."

Nordlund said she'll miss teaching, but retirement won't be reserved for just sipping wine while tailgating at concerts. She will travel a bit to lead writing workshops, work at the mark Twain House and finishing more of her own works. She has already had her work published several times.

"I'm very emotional, but I'll be ok," she said. "What's wonderful is all the students who have kept in touch. It's not just the Thank You notes throughout the years, but phone calls and messages on Facebook. The classes will live on and it will always be a part of us."