I’m a writer, published author, and recent transplant to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, originally from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.

I moved to PA shortly after getting married to my college sweetheart in June 2024, but before this, I had the honor of serving as the 2022-2024 Poet Laureate of Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, Virginia—the youngest Poet Laureate to ever hold the title. I spent two magical years honing my craft: visiting local high schools to teach poetry master classes and mentor students, delivering original speeches and performances at district-wide events, and immersing myself in the vibrant arts community.

Quick rewind for context you’ll need for later… After graduating summa cum laude from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) in 2021 with dual BAs in English Literature and Language & Communication Science and Social Inquiry, I began my professional career in book marketing and communications. I was able to work directly with authors, focusing on publicity and promotion. As a people person, I thrived getting to know folks from all walks of life with fascinating stories to tell.

While I found tremendous value in the author-facing relationships I formed during my time in the publishing industry, I slowly fell out of love with it. After nearly three years, I couldn’t ignore my heart’s call for change. I needed something new.

I’ve always had a deep love for learning. I was that kid who adored school from the earliest days of pre-K, when class was nothing more than finger painting and phonics. And while I didn’t particular love high school (my teenage manic pixie dream girl complex didn’t necessarily mesh well with my peers), I loved my teachers. I loved creative writing. I loved who I was when I was given not only a vehicle to express myself authentically, but the confidence and guidance to maneuver it myself.

My time as Poet Laureate made the answer clear. My next step was inevitable. I decided it was time to listen to my inner child and follow my heart back to the classroom. So now I stand here at 25, a few weeks away from beginning graduate studies for a Master’s degree in secondary education, grades 7-12, in English and language arts. I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter—to teach and be taught, to inspire and be inspired.

Oh, and a few more writing-related things! I published my debut book of original poetry, Cul-de-sac Angels, right before graduating from college back in 2021. It was a lengthy collection, spanning almost a decade of personal history, examining nostalgia, girlhood, and family mythology.

Since its release, I ranked #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list for poetry by women, sold over 1,000 copies internationally, and even put out a second edition of the book in 2023. Now that I have time and energy away from my former day job, I am delighted to announce that the very beginnings of Book #2 are taking shape. I’m in a state of creative flux and experimentation, but am finally excited to build a new world of words. I can’t wait to share it with you once it’s ready.

Wrapping up with a non-exhaustive catalogue of things I love, because I truly believe that what people love is the most interesting parts about them.

I love reading, mostly literary fiction and nonfiction. I love my sweet companion Luigi, the most gentle dog to ever grace this earth—an incontestable truth. I love music and curating hyper-specific, melodramatic playlists that encapsulate various eras of my life. I love crafting. I love my husband and the joy we share. I love autumn and queerness and strong coffee and funky, mismatched outfits. I love Snoopy and collecting ceramic frogs (I have an entire shelf of them—my prized possessions). I love dancing in grocery store aisles, in my bedroom, and with my girls. I love impulsive haircuts, though I am now a veteran due to far too many gone wrong. I love snow and public libraries and the word “whimsical,” probably a little too much. I love being too much.

I love and love and love.