In 2023, the Great Smokies Young Writers Workshop will be offered as one of UNC Asheville’s Pre-College Programs. The Pre-College Programs give high school students the opportunity to experience university life through engaging in college-level classes, staying in residence halls on campus, and exploring the surrounding community.
When: June 18-23 and June 25-30, 2023. Students can attend one week or both.
Who’s Teaching: We’re thrilled to welcome back Jamieson Ridenhour, who will teach both weeks, and Luke Hankins, who will teach June 18-23. We’re also excited to welcome long-time educator and writer (and UNCA’s Junior Bulldogs Program Coordinator) Sondra Hall, who will teach June 25-30.
Who’s Eligible: UNCA’s Pre-College Programs are open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
What Topics: June 18-23: Jamieson Ridenhour will teach “Developing Voice,” and Luke Hankins will teach “The Poet’s Toolbox.” June 25-June 30: Jamieson Ridenhour will teach “One Thing After Another: How to Create a Compelling Plot,” and Sondra Hall will teach “A Compendium of Creativity: A Generative Writing Workshop.”
How Much: Tuition for each week of the program is $1,350 and includes lodging, meals, all course materials, activities, and excursions.
Learn more and Register
If you have any other questions about the Great Smokies Young Writers Workshop, please email Lilly Danzis: ldanzis@unca.edu.
Scholarships
We’re thrilled to announce our 2023 Cori Gross Scholarship recipient, Henri W. (pictured left). Congratulations, Henri!
The Cori Gross Scholarship for the Young Writers Workshop covers the full cost of tuition for one week of the program ($1,350) and is awarded to a young writer who would otherwise not be able to attend or who would have financial difficulty attending. The scholarship is made possible by the contributions of the family and many friends and loved ones of Cori Gross (pictured at the top of the page), 2011 UNC Asheville alumna and beloved sister, daughter, irreplaceable family member, and friend. Cori passed away unexpectedly in 2020, but her passion and legacy live on.
In the words of Cori’s family, “Cori had an unquenchable love of the arts which permeated her life. It seems like she was writing poetry before she could walk. She was a voracious reader, a deep thinker, and she loved dance, music, photography, film & television, and storytelling. Cori loved UNCA, and her friends and family are thrilled that this scholarship will continue her memory and provide the necessary funds for deserving children and teens to attend a wonderful summer arts camp or learning program. We know that this act would bring Cori joy… and this opportunity to ‘pay forward’ Cori’s beautiful life and generosity gives her family & friends joy.”