Shaun T. Griffin has dedicated his life to creating a caring community. He and his wife, Deborah, founded the Community Chest in 1991, a nonprofit organization that directs more than thirty programs for northern Nevada, including hunger relief, service learning, counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, early childhood education, and art and social justice projects. Griffin has taught a poetry workshop at Northern Nevada Correctional Center for over thirty years and published a journal of the men’s work, Razor Wire. He is the author of numerous books of poetry and prose, including Because the Light Will Not Forgive Me: Essays from a Poet and Anthem for a Burnished Land. River Ask Me Why—Into the West on Two Wheels, a memoir, and No Charity in the Wilderness, poems, have just been released. In 2014, Griffin was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame and in 2024, he was appointed Poet Laureate of Nevada by Governor Joe Lombardo. 

Bobby Morris (he/him) is a Filipino-American student and poet in Nevada. He loves when his own creation is a personal paradox that argues with him. He has been published in Mantis, Streetcake Magazine, and Pollux Journal while you can find more of his work on his website: bobbymorris.net.

Sofia Reynoso, Nevada's Youth Poet Laureate and recipient of the Scholastic Art & Writing American Voices Award, is known for her engaging poetry and fiction. With a knack for blending humor and depth, she captivates readers of all ages. When not writing, Sofia enjoys playing piano and line dancing, embodying a passion for storytelling in all aspects of her life.

Alaina Sanchez is a 10th grade homeschooler. She is part of a youth Theatre ensemble group, and she currently holds the Blue Belt with Stripe ranking in Chinese Kempo Karate. She is an avid reader with a passion for writing. She won 2nd Place in the 2024 Spark! Youth Poetry Competition. She also wrote an award-winning short story that will be published soon in VKZ's Echoes of Youth Anthology.

Adriana Varga teaches literature, creative writing, and composition at Nevada State University. She writes poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. She is currently working on a memoir about life in Romania and lost-in-translation life as an immigrant to the United States.