Hannah Sutton, a former participant in Fresno State’s Young Writers’ Conference, recalled her experience as a high school junior in 2018 when she received an award for her creative writing at the university’s Satellite Student Union. The recognition included a cash prize and publication in the conference journal, Spectrum.
“It was the first time I’d ever submitted something not for a grade,” Sutton said. “I was shocked. To have my story recognized, it’s like — ‘Oh! This is good! This is something people want to read!’ You get this big boost of confidence.”
Now a graduate student in Fresno State’s Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing, Sutton volunteers to lead one of the 2025 conference workshops and contributes financially to the event’s adopt-a-school initiative, which covers registration fees for students in need.
“The Young Writers’ Conference is such a great opportunity, and it helped me in so many ways,” Sutton said.
The Young Writers’ Conference has relied on philanthropic support from individuals within the campus community and beyond. These donations help bring young writers to campus and provide opportunities for them to see themselves as professional writers.
Fresno State’s English Department started the conference in 1980. Over 45 years, thousands of area high school students and teachers have participated, with hundreds of young writers published in Spectrum.
Dr. René Rodríguez-Astacio, assistant professor of English and co-coordinator of the conference, explained that funding comes from various sources but that philanthropic partners now contribute half or more of all funds needed each year. Their support also covers all writing awards.
“I’m deeply grateful to our supporters for believing in the power of writing and investing in our next generation of storytellers,” Rodríguez-Astacio said. “Their generosity sparks creativity, confidence, and possibility in young writers from across Central California.”
The adopt-a-school initiative began in 2022 to assist schools with registration costs. It was modeled after an approach used by Fresno State’s Department of Theatre and Dance for its Theatre for Young Audiences production.
Cindy Wathen-Kennedy, a former Arts and Humanities Advisory Board member, led efforts on this initiative by sponsoring delegations from several area high schools over four years.
“I’m motivated to keep supporting the YWC because I know it’s still one of the few forms of literary outreach to younger kids,” Wathen-Kennedy said. “I also know that with the Central Valley’s poverty levels, too many young writers wouldn’t be able to attend unless we donate. The conference changes lives, and that’s the greatest motivation and reward.”
Wathen-Kennedy previously worked at Fresno State as communications staff for both the English Department and Library before starting her own film production company. She described seeing students experience college life through creative writing as rewarding.
“I think what immediately struck me was the sheer wonder and excitement the kids were experiencing,” she said. “You could tell this was a completely new experience for them. They were getting to see more of the world, be creative, be heard, feel supported. And their pride in their schools was utterly charming.”
She added: “I quickly realized that many of these young kids don’t have the means or opportunity to spend time on a college campus, much less explore creative writing,” she said. “You could sense that many of them are falling in love with a future for the very first time.”
Victoria Cisneros Soto attended similar events at Fresno State as a Selma High School student before earning two degrees from its Communication Department. Now working on campus as a marketing strategist, she stays connected with her high school journalism teacher Forest Castle by joining his current students during conference activities.
“Being able to see current Selma High students on campus, getting a similar experience to me, feels full circle,” Cisneros Soto said. “I know just how valuable an experience like this can be and the doors it can open, in terms of how they see themselves.”
Cisneros Soto made her first donation this year so every student from Selma High could attend.
“Knowing my small donation was able to cover the cost of three students from my high school alma mater, to attend an event at my college alma mater and now workplace, that was such an amazing feeling,” she said. “It made me realize the value of every gift, no matter how small.”
