People

Juno Bursch

Center for Poetry

Juno Bursch majors in Arts and Humanities as well as English Secondary Education with a minor in Religious Studies. Since childhood, their nose has been buried in a book—novels, encyclopedias, myths, folktales, and poetry. They also work in the RCAH Language and Media Center (LMC), where they work in audio and visual design. In their spare time, Juno enjoys reading, writing, and listening to short horror and mystery stories, listening to drone music, and watching old movies. Their poetical and prose inspirations include John Steinbeck, Mary Shelley, Gabriel García Márquez, Arnold Lobel, and Sappho.

Frank Jefferies

Center for Poetry

Frank Jefferies is a sophomore majoring in Arts & Humanities and minoring in Horticulture, but poetry is his one true love. Frank started writing poetry when he was 10 years old and hasn't stopped since. Growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he thrived in a small community of poets that met at local bookstores for readings, learning through that process the enormous value in the sharing of poetry with one's community. His chosen poetry styles both to read and create are prose poetry, poet's theatre, free verse, and concrete. When he’s not writing or reading poetry he’s playing guitar, collaging, editing music videos, or sitting next to a creek in silence. Amen. 

Madison Stark

Center for Poetry

Madison Stark is a 21-year-old senior, majoring in Arts & Humanities and Digital Storytelling. Maddi is an art lover, involved in clubs like the ROIAL Players, the MSU Filmmakers Club, and others. She loves to read, write (stories, poetry, and films), play around with her Canon camera, direct, act, play guitar, make jewelry, and sing her heart out! She’s so excited to finish her last year at the Center for Poetry, and to help create a community with the power of art and literature.

Gabrielle Yeary

Center for Poetry

Gabrielle Yeary is a junior pursuing a dual degree in English and World Politics, along with a triple minor in Arabic, Anthropology, and History. Born in Ohio, she spent most of her childhood with the tradition of oral storytelling from my family. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her loved ones, watch films, and play with her elderly cat, Oreo.  She’s excited to explore the threshold between poetry and community engagement with her position this year.

Jeremiah Young-Walker

Wheelbarrow Books

Jeremiah Young-Walker is an English major specializing in creative writing. The feeling of shared community and empathy that storytelling creates has stuck with him since an early age but, especially in the current climate, perhaps now more than ever.  He remains active in poetry and writing events around campus and the East Lansing area. To relax, he likes to read, bike, play games or frisbee, draw, perform, or enjoy some Dungeons and Dragons. After working with the RCAH Center for Poetry in past semesters, he is ecstatic to work with the center as an intern and spread storytelling to whoever would like to stop and take a moment to listen.