Creative Writing Class
The Class
Each summer since 1977 as part of ESU 11’s Summer Honors Program, twelve students and one insane writer, have gathered together to learn more about creative writing.
The Anthologies
Each year the students have created an anthology of original work made up of their poems, short stories, personal essays, and stage and screen scripts. In 2009, the creative writing class partnered with the Art Class to include original art in the print anthology. In 2015, the creative writing class moved the anthology from print format to this online site.
The Gnome
Since 2004, the creative writing class has been tasked with protecting the gnome, Yukon Cornelius Albus Dumbledore. Over the years, the gnome has been broken and glued dozens of times, and every other year, the gnome is stolen by another class, and each year Yukon finds his way back.
The Gnome Keepers:
McCartney Elliott: 2021-present
Hope Anderson: 2020-2021
Sara Lundeen: 2019-2020
Abby Waldo: 2018-2019
Jade Gonzalez: 2017-2018
Abby Waldo: 2016-2017
Cora Welton: 2015-2016
Monica Bell: 2014-2015
Faith Aberle: 2013-2014
Bailey Williams: 2011-2013
Devin Koch: 2010-2011
Kyle Chesterman: 2009-2010
Brianne Keller: 2008-2009
Brettany Wilson: 2007-2008
Laura McAtee: 2006-2007
Mikah Tacha: 2004-2006
The Creative Writing Instructors:
Tyler Jacobs: 2020-present
Gina Keplinger: 2019-2022
Gary Dop: 2009-2018
Matt Mason: 2002-2008
Ron Block: 1998-2001
Neil Harrison: 1997
Ellen Kester: 1995-1996
Gary Eller: 1994
Bart Sutter: 1993
Nancy McCleery: 1988
Bill Holm: 1985
Billie Jean James: 1981-1992
Jim Heynen: 1980-1987
Sara Edwards: 1978-1979