By Stella Feenstra, Digital Social Media & Advertising Editor
A group of talented Susquehanna creative writers received well-deserved praise for their successful academic and artistic careers on Mar. 31.
Students, faculty, and family gathered for the penultimate installment of senior readings this year, hosted by the Writers Institute. This event allowed creative writing majors to present pieces of their cumulative collection of work from their time in the Susquehanna University Creative Writing Department.
These events are typically attended by a number of family and friends, and this evening was no exception. The Lore Degenstein Gallery was brimming with people excited to show these writers their support.
Monica Prince, associate professor of English and creative writing, kicked off the event by extending her gratitude to those involved in making the event possible, and encouraging attendees to see the next senior reading on Apr. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Lore Degenstein gallery.
The first writer of the evening was Paige Kutlya, a Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing double major. Prince emphasized Kutlya’s talent for poetry and stated that her “voice on the page is secure and brilliant.”
Kutlya took to the stage with a piece of flash fiction titled “Conversations with a Gentlemen Thief”, followed by her audience-anticipated short story, “The Amazing Miss Alice.” She closed off her portion of the evening with a poem called “The Fool Reversed.”
The following reader, Maria Marton, is a Publishing and Editing, Creative Writing, and English Literature triple major. Catherine Dent, head of the Writer’s Institute, discussed Marton’s work, describing her as a “memorable poet” and praising her current projects, which includes a 300-page work-in-progress novel.
Marton has also recently been accepted into a program at Columbia University and plans to study at Oxford.
For the audience, she presented an essay titled “If Not Me” that delved into the relationship between mothers and daughters.
Dent then introduced the next reader, Aidan Robertson. Robertson is a Creative Writing major, who switched into the department from Environmental Science. His passion for environmental conservation lives through his work.
Dent stated: “I have no doubt that Aidan will go far.”
Robertson read a collection of poems, the first of which was titled “Where Will You Be?”, followed by “Tears From My Body” and “Kinda Weird, Right?”
The next reader was a “delight getting to know”, according to Prince. Jaidyn Steinbrecher is a Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing double major. Professor of English and Creative Writing, Karla Kelsey, wrote to the audience that they were “in for a treat” with Steinbrecher’s writing.
Steinbrecher read from a collection of poetry they had revived from their study abroad experience in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Their first poem was titled “The Lonely Duck/Cross That Pond”, followed by a poem titled “Smoldering” that will be published shortly in the Flagship Magazine.
Alongside it, “The Privilege of the Museumgoer”, Steinbrecher’s final poem of the evening, is also set to be featured in the magazine.
Prince then introduced Creative Writing major Max Peifer. Prince praised Peifer’s dedication to his craft, referring to Peifer as a “deep thinker with a passionate spirit.” Dent described him as a “gentle, earnest human.”
Peifer read from a series of five poems: “I Might’ve Killed to Escape This”, “Sinking”, “Before Your Eyes”, “Bits and Pieces”, “The Ride”, and a work-in-progress, “Three, Two, Me.”
Finally, Dent introduced Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing double major, Emma Ritter. Dent pointed out Ritter’s dedication to several campus organizations, including her work as social media manager for the department.
Glen Retief, associate professor of English and creative writing, wrote that Ritter leads with “grace, insight, and skill.” Ritter’s advice to the audience was to “save everything”, even the pieces of writing one may not be so proud of.
Ritter read from her piece that was recently published in Essay Magazine. The piece was titled “Salt Air and Cigarettes”, a heartwarming yet emotional piece about Ritter’s memories of her grandfather, especially as they resurfaced throughout her time studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy.
The night concluded with an energy filled audience, enjoying connections new and old, in a room full of art.
The next senior reading is on Tuesday, Apr. 7, in the Lore Degenstein Gallery. Hope to see you there!