This school year’s annual LitFest is coming soon, with preparations already well underway for the event. Submissions for LitFest’s writing contest have already closed; however, the winners will be announced in the copy of the ReMarker releasing Dec. 8. Later on will be the Jan. 19 Writers Panel, which will take place during Upper School Assembly and feature the event’s four guests – writer Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, singer-songwriter Sara Hickman, author Jason Hinojosa ’99 and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, essayist and screenwriter Michael Chabon, the latter of whom will be featured as this year’s Brent. P Johnson ’89 Guest Writer.

The three categories of the LitFest writing contest were poetry, nonfiction and fiction works. Rules of the contest included only allowing juniors and seniors to submit work, and that they would have to do so by the Nov. 3 deadline. Contestants could only turn in one submission per category, but they could submit to all three categories should they have chosen to. The prizes for winning each category will be a $200.00 Visa gift card. Other than the writing contest and guest panel, this year’s LitFest will also see the guests visit multiple classes to answer students’ questions and discuss their experiences. Behind the scenes, though, there is even more being done.

“I’ve worked on getting the library ready for the reception, getting rooms, preparing them for the guest speakers and more”, said Gavin Bowles, one of the co-chairs of the LitFest. “We’re also working on other projects like the poster [for the event].”

All of those preparations and tasks are meant to make the final event run smoothly for students and guests alike. And besides just running the event, the LitFest chairs have another important task – training three sophomores to replace them next year.

“When I was in their place, I tried to listen and learn,” Bowles said. “I hope the best for them, but honestly, I don’t think it will be too bad.”

Sophomores that have been selected to be future LitFest chairs attend meetings just like their junior counterparts, and are paired with one junior each to gain experience in managing their future responsibilities. 

“We’ve been working diligently for the past few weeks,” said Alex Dahlander, one of the sophomores working on LitFest. “We also got a lot of writing submissions, particularly from the senior class.”

With a long legacy to carry forward, these sophomores have to work hard – but the future prospect of being able to manage LitFest in their own right is exciting.

“My hope for this year is to really learn my role,” Dahlander said. “Hopefully, I learn enough this year so that next year we can have a great LitFest.”

This year’s LitFest is shaping up to be an important event – not just for the chairs, but also for the participants of the writing contest and all of the Upper School boys who will see the guest writers in Assembly – and perhaps be inspired by what they have to share.