Throughout brunch, lunch and weekends (if you’re at school), you may see a group of teachers meandering around campus lost in deep contemplation. One member in this group is The Thunderbolt’s very own adviser, Anthony Pretto.
Pretto is a member of the Living Poets Society, an association of teachers that take walks around campus searching for literary devices.
“Dead people are just so boring, so we want to keep things lively,” Pretto remarked.
The three key members of the Living Poets Society consist of teachers with boy-band like roles, including Don Burdette as the Dungeon Master (the leader), Joseph Hudelson as the Thespian, and Pretto as the Handsome One.
Similar to GPS games such as Pokémon GO, the members search for literary devices that have been left all around Millbrae and San Mateo County. “We’re looking for metaphors, imagery, all those things that we annoy our students about all day,” Hudelson explained.
In order to collect literary devices, the teachers go through a portal that leads them into a subterranean pathway. The portal has been around since the 1800s, though much of its history remains unknown due to the secrecy pact the teachers uphold.
“What happens in the subterranean tunnels doesn’t leave the subterranean tunnels,” Hudelson remarked.
Like any GPS locator games, there are bound to be rare literary devices to be discovered in the subterranean pathway. Pretto recalled, “One time I found a synecdoche and it was really great because everyone was able to lend a hand.”
Recruitment comes at large. The group is composed of many more subordinates from all the academic departments. Even retirees come in once in a while.
In regards to the positions of the three key members, their brotherhood is unlike any other. Though Hudelson believes Pretto is the loudest out of the bunch, he commemorates him for predicting all the political events that have happened in the last 20 years. In response, Pretto shared a statement in reference to “The Great Gatsby” by saying, “You see, sometimes it appears it’s like I have a second sight, and I know what I need to do.”
In addition to great friendships, the pair revealed how they view Burdette as the Dungeon Master. “He is the one who holds the most power,” Hudelson clarified. To add on, Pretto commented, “We have to decide via a rock, paper, scissors tournament every year and he’s good.”
Going back to their jobs as teachers, it is a win-win situation for them. By killing two birds with one stone, every day they are able to achieve 10,000 steps and also have fun drilling their ELA skills.
The daily strolls that the association takes aren’t just any normal walks during brunch. It is a meaningful period of calmness, cultivation and carpe diem.
“Complete bliss. Sense of purpose,” Hudelson reflected. “When during the day our students have a hard time finding these devices at times, for us, it’s just something that comes inherent in us.”
The Living Poets Society will continue to search for literary devices to support the enrichment of student engagement in class.
Hudelson affirmed, “We hope to do this for a long time, and if we have to use canes or wheelchairs in the coming years, we’ll do so. We just have so many more devices to find.”
