The Hillsboro High School Creative Writing Club recently attended the annual Creative Writing Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, joining more than 500 students from across the Midwest for a day dedicated to storytelling, learning, and inspiration.
The festival is a 40-year tradition that offers high school writers a unique opportunity to share their work, attend workshops, and receive feedback from professional authors in a college setting. Students attend poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, novel, and literary publishing sessions, and network with peers who share their passion for writing.
A keynote address was given by Amy Quan Barry, the Lorraine Hansberry Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Hansberry is an accomplished author of nine books of fiction and poetry who shared insights into her writing journey and the craft of storytelling with young writers.
The pinnacle of the day came when senior Kate Holthe won first place and a cash prize in the children’s literature category for her piece Sorry, But, complete with hand-painted watercolors. Kate's achievement is a testament to her talent and creativity, and the strength and impact of Hillsboro’s writing program.