Songwriter, musician, and college professor Cory Cullinan mentored middle school students atNorth Routt Community Charter School in winter 2023. Over the course of six weeks, twoin-person workshops, and one Zoom session, Cory led the students in writing an original songinspired by their history curriculum. All lyrics were written by the students.After the residency, 100% of students surveyed reported feeling more comfortable talkingto and asking questions of adults who are not teachers,100% of students surveyedreported feeling more confident to share their ideas, and 75% of students surveyedreported feeling good about their abilities to be creative.