Diverse Voices
Voces Diversas
May 13, 2025
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Diverse Voices
5th Grade Literacy Program
5th Grade Literacy Program
Diverse Voices is a young authors program working with fifth graders at local elementary schools to enhance literacy skills through creative writing. The students are encouraged to write in the variety of languages they may use and to use illustrations as a way to further communicate. The program emphasizes the importance of creativity, reading and writing skills, self-expression, and acceptance of themselves and one another. The grand finale of the program is the publication of an anthology of the students' writing and book launch event, during which the students read their pieces for the public.
Walnut Elementary 5th Grade Class
Young authors confidently reading their literary works in front of their peers, friends, families, and community members.
2025 Diverse Voices Workshop Facilitators
2025 Diverse Voices Workshop Facilitators
Their contributions, insights, and expertise helped make this our best program yet!
Their contributions, insights, and expertise helped make this our best program yet!
Lead Facilitator and Program Director for Diverse Voices
LINZI GARCIA
Linzi Garcia lives in Emporia, where she serves as the publicist and poetry editor for Meadowlark Press and as a board member for House of Morrow. She has facilitated over 50 community writing workshops and poetry readings. She is the author of Thank You and Cravings and the co-author of Live a Great Story and While Away: Travel Poems. Linzi is a recipient of a 2023 NextGen Under 30 Kansas Award.
CLICK ON THE FACILITATORS BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM
Deon Morrow
After graduating from Oklahoma State, Deon immersed himself in art, spending four months in Germany exploring fine and public art. Now a painter and advocate for public art, he has murals in Emporia and artwork in Emporia, Kansas City, Lisbon, and Berlin.
Focused on creating a meaningful art career, Deon works with others dedicated to making a positive impact. His proudest achievement is his work at Las Casitas Park, which blends his passion for art with community impact.
Kevin Rabas
Past Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019) Kevin Rabas teaches at Emporia State University, where he leads the poetry and playwriting tracks and directs the Donald Reichardt Center for Publishing & the Literary Arts.
He has sixteen books, including Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano, a Kansas Notable Book and Nelson Poetry Book Award winner.
Kevin joined the House of Morrow Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas initiative to give back to his local community - his rhythm workshop was a hit with the students!
Megan Love
Megan, with a background in art education, has been a librarian since 2012. As a youth services librarian, she enjoys creating engaging programs and activities. She takes great pride in the Emporia Public Library’s summer reading program, working hard with her team to plan a fun-filled season, and seeing it all come together.
Megan values literacy as a key part of library work, knowing libraries serve all ages and reading levels. She was thrilled to be invited to contribute to to House of Morrow’s Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas Literacy Program.
Tracy Million Simmons
Over the past decade, Tracy has taken immense pride in every book produced by Meadowlark, where each project offers her a new adventure and an opportunity to learn, especially through her collaboration with authors. A lifelong reader herself, Tracy firmly believes in the power of stories to foster connection, showing that we all share common experiences, no matter our background.
Tracy supports the House of Morrow Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas Literacy Program because she enjoys encouraging young people to transform their passions into career paths.
DIVERSE VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
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