Visiting Writers Series

The Visiting Writers Series, developed by the English Department through the generous support of donors, welcomed three guests to campus this year to discuss the craft of writing. This program provides students with the chance to hear from renowned authors about their experiences as students, how they came to the work that they do, and why writing can be such an essential feature of a well-lived life. The practice of writing allows us to be open to inspiration and to a way of seeing that asks us to stop and pay attention to the world.

Waterford alumna Katie Sanyal ’20 visited us on February 9 to discuss her novel, Lady of the House, published by Madville Publishing in 2025. Katie shared the ways that her experience at Waterford contributed to her love of reading, even citing specific influential books like Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street. Katie advised our students to “read everything” and to find consistency in the practice of writing.

Paisley Rekdal, Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Utah and former Poet Laureate of Utah, visited for a thoughtful conversation with English teacher Harmony Button after leading Betsy McGee’s AP Literature class through a discussion of poems. Students shared their observations with Paisley about the poems she brought, and they stretched their thinking about form and the composition of a poem. In her interview with Ms. Button, Paisley reflected on her experience as a high school student and her “accidental” introduction to the world of poetry competitions. She also spoke extensively about her project, Mapping Literary Utah, which she describes as an attempt to “chart the state’s literary landscape.” Students asked thoughtful questions about publishing, poetry, and the day-to-day habits of a writer.

As the keynote speaker for Arts Week this year, renowned poet Naomi Shihab Nye visited Waterford to share her love for the practice of writing and her journey as a poet. She visited Harmony Button’s Creative Writing class to work with students on poems that were inspired by Lower School gargoyle sculptures. In our special Arts Week assembly, Mario Chard interviewed Naomi, and she shared her reflections on the human tendency to “think poetically,” on some inspiring teachers in her life, and on the power of art to change our lives and our orientation to the world. She read “Kindness,” as well as part of a new poem. Naomi’s graciousness, kindness, and curiosity served as a model of a meaningful and well-lived life for our students, and we all felt grateful to meet her.

The Visiting Writers Series was made possible by the generous support of Waterford parents, Suzanne and Danny McCooey P. ’28 and Karissa Peterson and Matt Nilson P. ’27, ’28, ’32, ’32, ’36, ’38.