Kenna is a rising first-year college student in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She discovered her passion for writing poetry in fourth grade, finding it as an escape to express herself more unconventionally. She has been published in multiple books, including "Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras" (published for select poets from Gilbert-Chapell's Distinguished Poet Series) and "Pinesong" (winners of North Carolina's Poetry Society annual contest). Additionally, she has been recognized by United Arts Wake County, Pen&Quill, and nationally by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Kenna currently serves as co-editor-in-chief for her literary magazine, Tiger Leaping Review, and is the North Carolina Youth Poet Laureate. She hopes that her experience, collected from years of poetry writing, can be shared with younger students to help them find their love for writing as well!

Claire is a rising 12th grader in Cary, North Carolina. She's always loved writing stories, and she enjoys exploring new worlds and characters through her imagination. She's published three fiction books, two for young readers and one for middle-grade readers. One of her books, A Dream of Magic, won first place for young author fiction in the 2023 Story Monsters Ink Book Awards and was recognized as a finalist in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Claire has received several Gold Keys from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and she has been recognized as a national finalist in the Next Generation Short Story Awards for two consecutive years. Currently, she serves as a fiction editor for Kenna's literary magazine, Tiger Leaping Review. She is excited to share her experience with young writers and inspire them to reach their full creative potential!

Celia is a rising 10th grader in Cary, North Carolina. She began journaling in elementary school, and her love of writing has grown to center on creative fiction and storytelling. She has received a national Gold Medal from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for Flash Fiction as well as regional keys in Journalism and Poetry. Currently, she is also exploring other genres, including critical essays and science fiction, and enjoys experimenting with different techniques in her writing. She is excited to join the workshop this year and looks forward watching students become more confident in their writing. She hopes to help students discover their own style and improve their ability to express their ideas through their writing!