HODGES ADAMS

Senior
Major: Creative Writing & Literature and Art History
Reading: Poetry

Hodges Adams is a poet and playwright hailing from Northern Michigan. In their time at this University, they have been awarded four Hopwood Prizes for poetry. When not reading too much Shakespeare or shuffling a deck of tarot cards, they can be found working in the Graduate Library or climbing trees in the Arb. This is their second year reading at Café Shapiro.

Nominated by: Jose Casas

MAHMUDA AHMED

Junior
Major: English
Reading: Short Fiction

Mahmuda is a transfer junior at UMich, from Detroit, Michigan, majoring in English and hoping to one day work in publishing. She's been writing fiction and poetry for as long as she can remember, and absolutely loves it! Aside from this, she also likes to spend her free time drawing as well as reading! 

Nominated by: John Buckley

KARI ANDERSON

Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Reading: Fiction

At the age of ten, Kari began writing her first novel, which by age 13 consisted of over 200 pages in 14-point Comic Sans.  Although she never finished that first novel (considering that it most likely violated multiple copyright laws), she enjoys writing in her limited spare time in between a random hodgepodge of classes (due to the fact that she's woefully undeclared) and rehearsals for the Michigan Marching Band.  Originally from the Seattle area, the 20 degree weather almost shocked her back to the Pacific Northwest, but she's glad she stayed.  She has had a number of wonderful experiences so far this year and is looking forward to the opportunities to come.

Nominated by: David Ward

SOPHIA ARBANI

Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Reading: Essay

Sophia is from the small town of Mars, Pennsylvania, right outside of Pittsburgh. She is a first-generation college student studying in the LSA Residential College. Although her major is undecided, she is currently exploring computer science and psychology. Sophia is a research assistant in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and would describe herself as a generally curious person. Sophia loves travel, watching Food Network, and chatting with friends during her free time.

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

SRIKAR BAIREDDY

Junior
Major: BCN – Biopsychology, Cognition, Neuroscience
Reading: Fiction

Srikar Baireddy was born in California, moved to India at the age of nine, and then moved back to Pennsylvania at the age of eighteen. As a junior, he spends more time staring into blank space and dreaming than working. His stories usually tend to be unnecessarily tragic, a habit that has plagued him for years. His love for cats dwarfs his love for anything else. 

Nominated by: Elinam Agbo

EZRA BEEHLER

Freshman
Major: FTVM – Film, Television and Media
Reading: Fictional Short Story

Ezra is a freshman majoring in Film, Television, and Media. He comes from a small up-north town named Frankfort. He has written short stories since he was a small child. He has followed his passion for telling stories as it evolved into his current love of film and it's production. Other than that, Ezra also participates on the Club Wrestling Team. After graduating, Ezra hopes to pursue a career as a film producer.

Nominated by: Oluwapemi Aguda

NOA BERMAN

Sophomore
Major: Cognitive Science
Reading: Short Story

Noa is a sophomore Cognitive Science major from New York City. She loves writing plays and short stories, and is really excited to have her work read for an audience for the first time! She dedicates nearly all of her time to writing and theatre, but outside of that she loves good books, Broadway cast recordings, talking about how weird the brain is, and eating ice cream.

Nominated by: John Buckley

KRISTEN BOLSTER

Freshman
Major: Public Policy
Reading: Slam Poetry

I grew up in Monroe, MI. I enjoy writing slam poetry, realistic fiction, and prose. I'm currently part of Michigan Research And Discovery Scholars (MRADS), Michigan Pole Dance Society, and Active Minds. My love of writing started my junior and senior year of high school when I wrote my first novella and I've been writing ever since. When I'm not writing I enjoy playing volleyball and drawing. 

Nominated by: John Buckley

KALEB A. BROWN

Sophomore
Major: Creative Writing
Reading: Poetry

Kaleb A. Brown is Michigander pursuing a BA in Creative Writing. His goal is to become a successful journalist and a renowned novelist. He has published a journalism piece in the Ann Arbor Observer. His favorite genres of fiction include fantasy, science fiction, realistic fiction, and romance. In his free time he enjoys reading books, watching movies, writing, amateur photography and playing video games.

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

SAM CANTIE

Sophomore
Major: English and Business
Reading: Fiction

Sam is a sophomore dual degree student, studying Business and English with a creative writing sub concentration. She is a Music Writer for The Michigan Daily, and has a strong passion for film, literature, and music. She loves hammocking, coffee shops, and concerts, and genuinely wants to share the experiences of humans through story-telling with humility and curiosity. 

Nominated by: Oluwapemi Aguda

CHRISTIAN CHARLEY

Freshman
Major: Performing Arts Technology
Reading: Poetry

Christian Charley, also known by his stage names Ozone and DFRNC, is an American poet, writer, musician, songwriter, and producer. Attending the University of Michigan as a Performing Arts Technology major, he doesn’t take his skills for granted. He is often regarded for his unique ways of storytelling in both music and poetry. He loves to share whatever is on his mind, which is currently Hamilton. After college, he plans to tour the world making music with friends and family and spreading a positive message. HIs favorite thing in the world, however, is intimate conversations, so he asks that whoever is hearing this brief bio to not be afraid to come up and say hi to him later. 

Nominated by: Annika Pattenaude

NAVANAS CHETSANDTIKHUN

Junior
Major: School of Information
Reading: Poetry

Navanas grew up in Thailand thinking the weather was too hot and immediately overcorrected when he chose to attend the University of Michigan. He writes in his free time.

Nominated by: Greg Schutz

KELLY CHRISTENSEN

Sophomore
Major: English and Communications
Reading: Fiction

Kelly was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and transferred to the university this year. She spent the last year at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. In her (little) free time, she enjoys cooking, travelling, gardening, and spending quality time with her cats.

Nominated by: Laura Thomas

SOPHIA CHRISTOS

Senior
Major: English Language & Literature and Creative Writing
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Reading: Fiction

Sophia is passionate about writing, reading, and creativity. She's one of the founders of EMPOWER, an online young women's magazine that promotes positivity and inspiration. Sophia's also a development intern at the Alzheimer's Association, where she is working to find the first survivor of Alzheimer's. In her spare time, Sophia loves to scuba dive and travel the world.

Nominated by: David Gold

TERESA CLARK

Sophomore
Major: History and Philosophy
Reading: Fiction Short Story

I am a sophomore from New Jersey. I am passionate about my majors in History and Philosophy, and I hope to pursue a law degree after graduation. I like horror movies and true crime, and I also really like podcasts.

Nominated by: Oluwapemi Aguda

ALIX CURNOW

Sophomore
Major: Theatre Arts
Minor: Creative Writing and Playwriting
Reading: Non-Fiction

In addition to theatre, one of Alix's biggest passions is literature. She is beyond excited to share her works with you all tonight!

Nominated by: Jose Casas and Akil Kumarasamy

HIBA DAGHER

Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Reading: Poetry

Hiba is a current freshman who somehow scammed her way into being published in CityWidePoets 2018 anthology and the Hopwood Undergraduate Award for Poetry. Her hobbies include reading, napping, and lobbying the United States Department of Agriculture into including Double Stuffed Oreos as a sixth food group.

Nominated by: Lorenzo Diaz-Cruz

KELSI DAVIS

Sophomore
Major: Communication Studies
Reading: Poetry

Miss Kelsi Lynn Davis was born in Kentucky and raised in Mackinaw City, MI. She is total chaos covered in freckles, and can’t believe that somebody liked this collection of words she threw together enough to let her read them out loud. She is joyously alive.

Nominated by: David Wade

NICOLE DE LA MONTANYA

Senior
Major: English
Reading: Creative Non-Fiction Essay

Nicole is a senior from Oakland, California. She is an English major and spent her junior year studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. She has worked for a local criminal defense attorney since she started at Michigan, and is planning on moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after graduation to work before attending law school. She likes her major, but she can't wait to never write another literary analysis paper ever ever ever again.

Nominated by: David Ward

ANNA DE MARINIS

Sophomore
Major: BFA - Acting
Reading: Poetry

Anna De Marinis is a sophomore BFA Acting major in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Originally from New Jersey, she spent a great deal of her time in the outdoors with her brother and the other children in the neighborhood who were exclusively boys. This now influences her writing, taking inspiration from nature and what it means to be a woman. As an actress, she is also very interested in the human experiences that unify us all and allow us to find empathy in unexpected places.

Nominated by: David Ward

MALLORY DWORTZ

Sophomore
Major: Undeclared
Minor: Spanish
Reading: Short Story

I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and I really enjoy taking creative writing classes. I haven't declared a major but as of now I am leaning toward English with a minor in Spanish. Some of my favorite things/activities include: tie dye, music festivals, lava lamps, and Mackinac Island, where I have spent the last two summers working. After college I want to work in a city somewhere and hopefully use my potential English degree. 

Nominated by: David Wade

DANIELLE FALLING

Sophomore
Major: Environment and Creative Writing
Reading: Poetry

I'm from Grand Rapids and enjoy writing about the moon, among other things. I'm a student in the Residential College and enjoy swimming laps, cutting hair, being a radio DJ, the campus farm, and painting; not because I'm especially good but because they are nice to do.

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

FAREAH FYSUDEEN

Sophomore
Major: English and Philosophy
Reading: Non-Fiction and Fiction

Fareah is a sophomore studying English and Philosophy. She considers herself a novelist, though that might be too generous a title, considering she's written many halves of novels but has yet to complete one. Hence, currently working on a novella— a win-win situation. Fareah loves immersing herself in artwork, in friends and family, in social justice work on campus, in the mundane, day-to-day activities of life. Her work is deeply inspired by her background as an Indian-Muslim-American and the tension between personal and politicized identities. She is interested in exploring the quiet thrills and aches of being human; she is stunned daily by the beauty of what she cannot understand.

Nominated by: Greg Schutz

CHARLES HARRIS

Junior
Major: Communication
Reading: Poetry

Charles has hopes of being a not only a rapper but a pioneer for change within the entertainment industry. He has started his own collective, soon to be record label, New Renaissance Music. It gains inspiration from the Renaissance time period and also the Harlem Renaissance and aims to be the next leading figure in this time of growth and creativity as it relates to music and create his own renaissance in this generation.

Nominated by: Lorenzo Diaz-Cruz

VICTORIA HELRIGEL

Freshman
Major: English
Reading: Fiction

Victoria Helrigel is a freshman at the University of Michigan, planning to major in English. She enjoys many forms of creative expression: writing, drawing, and watercolor, mainly. She currently writes for an on-campus magazine, Mentality.

Nominated by: David Ward

NORA HILGART-GRIFF

Sophomore
Major: Public Policy
Minor: CASC
Reading: Poetry

Nora Hilgart-Griff is a Tennessee-born Michigan native, and a sophomore in the Residential College. Her talents include picking up bugs to take them out of the house and knowing exactly when to pop the toaster for that perfect crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture.

She enjoys gummy vitamins, collecting paint samples, and worship music (though her dad wishes she listened to more Kanye), and still ties her shoelaces using the bunny ears method. This whole poetry thing is as much a surprise to her as it is to all of you.

Nominated by: Christopher Matthews

SOPHIA JACOBS

Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Reading: Poetry

Sophia Jacobs was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a big fan of Biblical and mythological allusions. She is haunted by this formative poem she read when she was 15 but has never been able to discover again. Her hobbies include looking for bunnies in Kerrytown, napping, and watching poorly-reviewed movies with female protagonists.

Nominated by: Erika Nestor

JAZZARAY JAMES

Junior
Major: English and Creative Writing
Minor: Art and Design
Reading: Short Story Fiction

I am a writer from the land of Ohio, commonly mistaken for Idaho and Iowa. I aspire to write stories about the wondrous and tragic events I encounter. Studying literature adds to this passion. I am also an artist with a passion for sculpture and printmaking. I hope to write amazing stories paired with sculptures or other pieces of art I love in the future.

Nominated by: Laura Thomas

GRACE KENT

Sophomore
Major: Public Policy
Reading: Auto Biography Essay

Grace Kent is a sophomore from Ann Arbor, Michigan studying Public Policy and minoring in writing and digital studies.  She has a passion for social justice work—specifically in the realm of higher education policy.  Grace hopes to dedicate her studies and career path to amplifying voices of marginalized people in the United States through policy and advocacy.  In her free time she enjoys listening to classic rock and playing chess.  

Nominated by: Elinam Agbo

EMMA KILLEEN

Senior
Major: Fine Arts
Reading: Non-Fiction

Emma Killeen is a senior in the Stamps School of Art and Design with a focus in graphic design. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago with a permanent book in her face, Emma writes mostly for fun and self-expression. When she’s not working on North Campus until the break of dawn, one could find Emma walking through the Arb with headphones on full blast, perusing the frozen aisle at Trader Joe’s, or taking a power nap. Upon graduating this Spring, Emma hopes to pursue a career in advertising and will miss U of M dearly.

Nominated by: Erika Nestor

ANNIE LEMBERG

Senior
Major: Psychology
Reading: Fiction

Annie Lemberg is a fiction writer and poet studying at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her work is heavily influenced by the autobiographical, drawing on topics of chronic illness, sexuality, and love in a physical body that can be as much a challenge to inhabit as it can to understand.

Nominated by: Patricia O’Dowd and James Cody Walker

LIAM LOOMER

Senior
Major: BFA – Acting
Minor: Playwriting
Reading: Excerpt

Liam was born in Ann Arbor, and has lived in Michigan his entire life—a fact he can't wait to change. Although he studies acting, his main passion is writing for screen and stage. As a writer, he's most concerned with writing about themes surrounding mental health, and promoting diversity and inclusivity through his work.

Nominated by: Jose Casas

CHRISTINE MACKENZIE

Sophomore
Major: Psychology, Creative Writing, and English
Reading: Poetry

Christine A. MacKenzie is a sophomore majoring in psychology, creative writing, and English. She loves to write poetry and articles related to the body and mind. In the future she plans to become a mental health therapist and continue to publish her writing.

Nominated by: Laura Kasischke

ADAM MAGISTRO

Sophomore
Major: NAME (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering)
Reading: Poetry

I am a Naval Architect/Marine Engineer from Morristown, NJ. I grew up around the water and have a passion for all types of ships. My Grandfather is the inspiration for much of my writing on war as he served in both WWII and Korea. I attended the United States Naval Academy before coming to Michigan and am currently in Air Force ROTC.

Nominated by: David Wade

LILY MORRIS

Junior
Major: Psychology and English
Minor: CASC – (Community Action and Social Change)
Reading: Poetry

Lily is a Psychology and English double major with a minor is Community Action and Social Change. She is particularly passionate about research relevant to human behavior and motivation, and is particularly inspired by the personal narrative. She is inspired by her family and her identity as a Jewish American from Los Angeles, and is a lover of and friend to any and all dogs. 

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

NADIA MOTA

Senior
Major: Creative Writing & Literature
Minor: American Culture
Reading: Poetry

Nadia Mota is a Chicana poet from Adrian, Michigan. She enjoys baking cupcakes for her friends, playing bass in her subpar band, and writing stuff sometimes.

Nominated by: Laura Kasischke

NOVA NIETLING

Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Reading: Lyric Essay

Nova Nietling is a self-proclaimed cat whisperer born and raised in rural West Michigan, and she rarely left the region during her life prior to college. Her hobbies include reading, writing short stories, and drawing cartoons. She either has a very refined sense of humor or an absolutely awful one, given that the only person she knows who shares her tastes is her little brother. Please bear with her until her reading is done.

Nominated by: Annika Pattenaude

TESS PERRY

Sophomore
Major: Cognitive Science, Computation and Cognition
Reading: Fiction

I am a sophomore studying Cognitive Science with a focus in Computation and Cognition, however I am hoping to gain admission to the School of Information and specialize in Data Analytics and User Experience. After I graduate, for a few years, I hope to work in the technology field for a fashion company before applying to Law School, or maybe I’ll skip all that and just open a doggy daycare. In my free time I’m usually painting, watching a hockey game (a little too intensely), at Osaka eating sushi like a sumo wrestler, or unsuccessfully trying to force my friends to go on a hike with me.

Nominated by: Oluwapemi Aguda

ABBEY PHILLIPSON

Freshman
Major: Linguistics
Reading: Fiction Short Story

Struggling with a condition that often leaves her bedridden, Abbey has always found creative writing, specifically screenwriting, as an excellent outlet and hobby. She is enjoying her freshman year joining clubs that help kids and adults with disabilities. This pushes Abbey one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a social worker for kids with disabilities!

Nominated by: Samantha Bares

EMILY PINKERTON

Senior
Major: English and Art History
Reading: Poetry and Short Story

Emily Pinkerton is a senior (graduating in December of this year) majoring in English and Art History. She's from Austin, Texas, but she doesn't have a southern accent. You will never catch her saying "y'all". After she graduates, she would like to complete an MFA in Fiction. She laughs at her own jokes.

Nominated by: David Ward

EMILIA PRADO

Senior
Major: Psychology and Creative Writing & Literature
Reading: Short Fiction

Emilia is a senior from the village of Hesperia, Michigan. If she had to name the sitcom of her life, it would be “The Misadventures of a Mexican White-Girl.” This senior is always trying to find the middle ground in life. Trying to decide if she wants to call her mom for the casserole recipe or the homemade fajita spice mix. Failing to remember if that proverb is supposed to be in Spanish or English. Seeing how she can get her majors to work together. Hoping it all works out and she can live her dream of being an editor and novelist.

Nominated by: Christopher Matthews and Patricia O’Dowd

ELENA RAMIREZ-GORSKI

Junior
Major: Creative Writing & Literature
Reading: Poetry

Elena Ramirez-Gorski is a junior majoring in creative writing and literature. Don't let her fool you, she is absolutely filled with blood and guts right now. She is from Adrian, Michigan and has a terrible secret. When she's not writing or painting she's locking herself in a dark closet "to be alone with her thoughts." She would like to dedicate this reading to her friends, who are "concerned to say the least."

Nominated by: Laura Kasischke

SHASHANK RAO

Senior
Major: English, Creative Writing and Literature
Reading: Fiction

Shashank is a senior currently racked with anxiety as he tries to figure out what to do after graduation. He has participated in Café Shapiro for the last three years and is excited that he has been invited for one last go around the bend before he leaves. 

Nominated by: Christopher Matthews

SAMUEL RENTSCHLER

Graduated, December, 2018
Major: Political Science and International Studies
Reading: Fiction

Samuel recently graduated from the University of Michigan and currently works for a church on Washtenaw Avenue. He hopes to attend grad school and become a social worker, writing fiction as a form of self-care and side project.

Nominated by: Elinam Agbo

NIKKI SILBERMAN

Senior
Major: BCN (Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience)
Reading: Poetry

Nikki is a senior studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. Nikki is a New York native and plans to return there to pursue a career in compliance after graduation. She is passionate about sexual assault prevention and works as a facilitator for the sexual assault prevention and awareness center on campus. Her hobbies include painting, reading, and discovering new music. She took her first class in creative writing last semester and is excited to see where it takes her.

Nominated by: Thea Chacamaty

SAM SMALL

Sophomore
Major: English and Communications
Minor: Creative Writing
Reading: Poetry and Short Essay

Sam Small is a sophomore from Troy, Michigan who enjoys a quality mosh-pit, never has matching socks, and can play every song on expert on each Guitar Hero game. She hopes to one day be an investigative reporter living in an overpriced studio apartment in New York City. 

Nominated by: Samantha Bares

SOFI SOLOMON

Junior
Major: PitE (Program in the Environment) and English
Reading: Creative Non-Fiction

I am a student double majoring in PitE (Program in the Environment) and English. I enjoy writing, reading, traveling, and yoga. Most of my writing is poetry or creative environmental non-fiction.

Nominated by: Stacy Coyle

ERIN STRAUSS

Sophomore
Major: International Studies
Reading: Fiction

I am a sophomore from a suburb of Chicago (Elmhurst). I’m studying International Studies and eventually want to go into law. My dream job is to work for the CIA. My absolute favorite thing to do is travel, so I’ll be happy with a career that allows me to experience different parts of the world. Although I have never been a huge writer, my creative writing course last semester was one of my favorite classes I have taken thus far!

Nominated by: Thea Chacamaty

ALEX TROMBLEY

Sophomore
Major: Physics
Minor: Creative Writing
Reading: Fiction

Alex is a writer from Birmingham, Michigan. He is currently a Sophomore studying Physics and Creative Writing. He mostly sticks to prose form but enjoys writing in as many different genres as possible. Among his favorite genres are historical, realistic and speculative fiction. It has always been Alex's dream to tell stories as a profession, whether by film, written stories or some other method. Besides writing, he enjoys playing music, drawing and, yes, even doing math on occasion.

Nominated by: Akil Kumarasamy

JENA VALLINA

Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Reading: Short Fiction

Jena Vallina is a Chicago native and current freshman in the Residential College, contemplating a major in either English or philosophy. Jena wrote her first novel at age 14. It was about dragons, and it was not very good. She hopes to tackle themes such as the complexities of womanhood, family, and mental illness in her writing. When not reading or writing, Jena enjoys spending time with her dog Dahlia, who is the love of her life, and her family and friends, who are also pretty cool. She often considers returning to that dragon novel. 

Nominated by: John Buckley, Sarah Messer and Laura Thomas

CIELLE WATERS-UMFLEET

Freshman
Major: Creative Writing & Literature
Minor: Spanish
Reading: Poetry

I am from Greater Grand Rapids, MI, an area that's made much better because my three dogs still live there. I have figure-skated since second grade and am currently on the U-M synchronized skating team. I am also on the staff for What The F magazine here on campus and have written two amazing articles according to my mom.

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

KATE WILCOX

Junior
Major: English and Creative Writing
Reading: Poetry

Kate is a poet, a tremendously terrible singer, and quite possibly half-wolf. She is currently working on a collection of poems that use nature to explore the ways we relate to the body in various stages of recovery. She delights in dancing with bare feet, and eating large amounts of raspberries. Sometimes at the same time. She is not sure what the future holds, but knows that it will be full of poetry and hopes it will take her somewhere near the sea.

Nominated by: James Cody Walker

ELENA WILNER

Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Creative Writing
Reading: Fiction Short Story

I am currently a sophomore in LSA majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Creative Writing. I have always loved to read and write, and publishing a novel is definitely on the bucket list. In my free time, I play a lot of tennis, spend as much time outdoors or hiking with friends/family as is possible, and of course binge watch Netflix!

Nominated by: Thea Chacamaty

YI QING ZHOU

Freshman
Major: Psychology
Reading: Non-Fiction

I was born in Beijing, China and moved to Montreal, Canada at the age of three. I grew up speaking English to some people, French to some others, and Mandarin to my family at home. As I was constantly surrounded by influences coming from different directions, understanding my cultural identity has always been a challenge. Through my lyric essay, I hope you will enjoy discovering bits and pieces of the things I have learned on my journey. In my free time, I enjoy reading, dancing, playing the piano, walking in nature, and trying different kinds of cuisine. I also love stargazing! And bunnies.

Nominated by: Sarah Messer

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