To address a need in the community for formal creative writing education, I founded the Sammamish Youth Writing Club in 2013 at the King County Library System (the busiest library system in the US).

For my work with the Sammamish Youth Writing Club, I received the Youth Spirit SAMMI Award for Community Service from the city of Sammamish, the highest community service award in the city (2016).

Originally planned for a space with a capacity of 8, the club grew rapidly and maintained a consistent attendance of 10-40 students and membership of over 90 students at free, voluntary weekly evening meetings which included creative writing teaching, ideation, creative storytelling games, editing help, writing time, and more. The club also featured special workshops held by local authors, screenwriters and poets, as well as an annual Issaquah-Sammamish Writing Competition with cash prizes and publication for local youth writers. The club was run by an executive board of students from the neighboring Skyline High School.

Writing is an activity for all who possess the faculty of language. It is for all people. As such, the SYWC had a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, with group or private writing sessions for students who may need additional help, or feel uncomfortable in a large classroom setting.

Sponsors: Sammamish Arts Commission & City of Sammamish, Issaquah Schools Foundation, Eastside Writes, Aplomb Communications

Partners: Washington Student Science Association, Academic Help, Kinspire: Smiles for Miles