Hi!

It’s Luigi, Harper, Lila, Olivia, Cameron and Collette and we’re all juniors at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts - in the Creative Writing Department! We are working together to raise money so that we can all attend life-changing summer writing programs.

Our Department Director, Ms. Flores (who was a top-five finalist for Duval County Teacher of the year this year - video linked below) always tells us to reach for the stars and strive to collect as many rejection letters as possible. She says, you never know unless you try, and the harder you try, the more doors will open.

So here we are, asking for your help doing something our department has never done before, sending SIX students to summer writing programs, and because we were shooting for the stars, these programs include the incredibly selective (and expensive) NYU Playwriting Program AND the Oxford Summer Writing Program… so we need to reach our goal by mid-May to make sure it happens!

If you believe like us that the Arts matter and that students who are accepted to prestigious programs should have the opportunity to attend regardless of their ability to pay… please consider making a contribution either through this GoFundMe or directly to our Booster Association, the Writers Guild Booster Association.

It is also super helpful if you share this fundraiser on social media and via email with your friends, families, and business connections that might be interested in funding local student initiatives and/or the arts.

Why Are Donations Necessary?

We have been applying for scholarships but the remaining registration fees, especially for NYU and Oxford are more than our families can cover alone. While Douglas Anderson consistently ranks in the top 25 high schools in the state, funding is tight, and many of the programs that make Douglas Anderson such a special place for students are fully funded by parents and generous contributions from friends, families, and COMMUNITY - people just like you! You can contribute through this GoFundMe or contact us directly.

Plus, everyone who helps us reach our goal will be recognized as a Patron of the Creative Writing Department for the coming school year!

About the Students Asking for your Support - In the words of our beloved teacher, Ms. Flores

When I tell you that all of these students go above and beyond to make the most of the Creative Writing Program and to serve their community, I mean it. They really took reaching for the stars to heart this year with the Summer Writing Program applications and I hope they all have the opportunity to experience these life-changing programs regardless of their ability to pay.

Luigi Avila: “Luigi Avila has gone above and beyond to make the Creative Writing Department at DASOTA as strong as it is today. He helped bring back to life The Artisan, the school’s once dormant student newspaper, and has served as host for our community open mic series at No Bird. In addition to this, even though he works, he is a fantastic student who has already started script writing and has earned a Scholastic Silver Key and two Honorable Mentions for his writing.”

Harper Bell-Kimbro: “Harper is the newest addition to the CW Department, but she has already made an incredible name for herself. She earned an Scholastic Honorable Mention for her short fiction during her first year in the program and was recently selected to be a Senate Page for the State of Florida. Her passion for writing and the law shines clearly in every aspect of her work.

Lila Hartley: “Lila makes writing a community driven art form. While most might view writers as isolated and introverted, Lila makes connections between various organizations across Duval County, incorporating her love of reading and writing into literacy workshops in local middle schools. Not only is she on staff for Élan Literary Magazine, our award winning international student literary magazine, she is president of the Literary Arts Honor Society where she helped organize a book drive for a local Title 1 elementary school. Lila takes writing off the page and demonstrates how this powerful tool of communication can bring together community members of all backgrounds.”

Olivia Sheftall: “Olivia is one of the strongest leaders in the Creative Writing Department. She maintains an academically rigorous courseload while taking part in various clubs and organizations around the school. In addition to being one of the top ten students in her class, she has performed at events like Coffee House (a showcase of original student work), has helped organize book drives, and currently serves as president of the National English Honor Society. She is also a Joe Burg scholar. Overall, Olivia demonstrates the academic rigor required of writers and artists.”

Cameron Pickering: “Cameron is one of the most innovative writers I’ve ever met. He is fearless in his approach to experimentation while conveying deeply vulnerable moments of memory and revelation. As the Junior Poetry Editor of Élan, our student literary magazine, Cameron has been instrumental in ensuring we retain our reputation of excellence, providing vital insight into work that should be celebrated from student authors around the world.”

Collette Carlee: “Collete is one of the most organized and diligent students I’ve ever come across. As Junior Managing Editor of Élan, she literally keeps the award winning international student publication running. Whether organizing the hundreds of submissions we receive from students around the globe, or directing Coffee House, our annual showcase of original student work, Collette is an exceptional student.”

About our Beloved Ms. Flores

You can click here to see her TEACHER OF THE YEAR finalist video (don’t blame us if it brings you to tears): https://youtu.be/87P2-rvBArg?si=VxZGzOFiA9yo3QYF

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Sincerely,

Luigi, Harper, Lila, Olivia, Cameron and Collette