Nico Acajabon is a biology student at Penn State Harrisburg. He is currently taking his second poetry course ever, and this is his first time getting published. In his free time, Nico enjoys playing games with his friends, hiking, and D&D. He would like to thank the editors for their time and consideration.
Ava Amato is a sophomore at Penn State University on the Harrisburg campus. Born and raised in south central Pennsylvania, Ava has had an interest in creative writing since she was eight. Ava is a biology major who hopes to become a doctor. Ava also enjoys gaming and reading.
Ashon Calhoun is a communications major in his senior year. Ashon is from Pottstown, PA and loves poetry, photography, exercise, and all types of outdoor activities. Ashon has been writing poetry since he was 8 and was published as early as 12. Ashon is very proud to have been in the last few editions of From the Fallout Shelter and Fission.
Amy Colleen is majoring in English – Creative Writing at Penn State Harrisburg. She is a returning student taking classes part-time (with an eye to finishing her bachelor’s degree within the next five years) while being a full-time stay-at-home parent. She has previously published creative nonfiction and conceptual humor in From the Fallout Shelter, The Memoirist, Frazzled, Pregnant Chicken, and P.S. I Love You. In her spare time (when not chasing toddlers) she enjoys writing about classic literature, sewing historical costumes, making desserts, and employing the Oxford comma wherever possible.
Padraic Evans is a political science and communications major at PSUH. Though originally from Baltimore, Padraic has lived in PA most of his life.
Cayla Garman (Managing Editor, Poetry Editor, Nonfiction Editor, and Web Editor) is a fourth year Creative Writing major at Penn State Harrisburg. This Spring is her third and final season with FTFS as she graduates in May, and ending her run at FTFS is one of the saddest parts of her approaching graduation. As an aspiring poet, Cayla started out as a content contributor for INKED (2020-2021), and since then her poetry has been published in Fission (2020), in the Vita Brevis Anthology Brought to Sight & Swept Away (2021), in From the Fallout Shelter (2022) as a runner up for the staff-selected Academy of American Poets Prize, and in From The Fallout Shelter (2023) as the winner of the Academy of American Poets Prize. Last Summer, she was accepted on scholarship to the New York State Summer Writers Institute for her work. In addition to her editing role at FTFS, Cayla served as a general Editor in Fall 2022 and as Senior Editor in Fall 2023 at Fission, and she was the founding Editor-in-Chief of The Blue & White Journal during the 2021-2022 year. Her long-term goals include a professional editing career and the continued studying, writing, and publishing of poetry. Outside of the English department, Cayla loves her kennel tech position at a local doggy daycare and boarding facility. In her free time, she enjoys making quirky earrings, consuming matcha based desserts, thrifting, playing TTRPGs, and spending time with her lovely friends.
Matteo Ginder is a Computer Science Major from Mechanicsburg graduating in Spring 2024. Matteo’s hobbies include video games, Magic: the Gathering, and reading fantasy. Matteo has no previous publications or awards for writing.
Jenny Guo majors in Finance and is from Madison, Alabama. Jenny’s interests and hobbies include photography, traveling and playing basketball. Some awards Jenny has received are Penn State’s Exemplary Student Leader Award and Outstanding Student Leader Award.
Christen Heiser is a junior studying mechanical engineering and enjoys dabbling in art and writing. She also enjoys going to the gym, reading fiction and science books, and detailing cars and motorcycles. Christen has been writing poetry and short stories since she was a child. However, it wasn’t until now that she has had public recognition for her work. Stephen King and Tim Burton are her main inspirations for writing, and she is encouraged by her family and close friends to explore the possibilities of poetry.
Emelia Heisey (Copy Editor, Assistant Fiction Editor, and Assistant Web Editor) is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg. Majoring in English, she aspires to have a career in the publishing industry and someday publish her own writing. This is Emelia’s first time being a part of the From the Fallout Shelter team, and she is excited for the opportunity to fine tune her editing abilities while learning more about literary magazines. In her spare time, she enjoys a copious amount of reading, reviewing novels, practicing her photography, and spending time with family and friends.
Caitlyn Henzie is a second-year student at Penn State Harrisburg, majoring in Criminology, who’s transferring to Main Campus next year. She previously had a piece feature in the Fall 2023 From the Fallout Shelter publication. She enjoys sculpting, drawing, and writing in her free time.
Carolina Hernández is a senior graduating this May from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Carolina is majoring in psychology and minoring in writing. Carolina previously published 3 poems with From the Fallout Shelter and was a finalist for the AAP prize. Carolina’s hobby is photography.
Kyra Hill grew up locally in Harrisburg, PA, and is interested in many different hobbies such as writing, reading, watching anime, and roller-skating. Kyra has always loved to write and aspire to be a writer. Kyra is inspired by writers such as Sylvia Plath and Aliza Grace. Kyra graduates in the spring of 2024.
Emily Lynne Keim is a third-year English major studying creative and technical writing at Penn State Harrisburg. Thank you, Nanny, for always reading every word.
Kaitlyn Klein is a Penn State Harrisburg student majoring in English. She is graduating in Spring 2024. Her hobbies include creative writing, with an emphasis on dark fantasy and horror, spending time with her partner and her cat, and watching Grey’s Anatomy. She hopes to obtain a job as an editor after graduating, and to continue to work on her novel in her spare time.
Grant Komm is a 3rd year Communications student with roots in California and Pennsylvania. He is an avid consumer and creator of the visual arts, including theatre, film and photography. Vintage technology is also a passion, shown in his film photography. His first photo was published in Fission earlier this year.
Lauren Krakowski (Assistant Fiction Editor, Assistant Nonfiction Editor, and Social Media Manager) is a third year English major at Penn State Harrisburg. In addition to her editorial work, Lauren is involved with an internship at PennLive in which she handles the main media coverage and pre and post game reports, and for the local pro indoor soccer team, The Harrisburg Heat. This is her first year working on From the Fallout Shelter and she is excited for the opportunity to learn more about literary magazines and help fellow writers get published! In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading for pleasure and her current favorite author is John Milton.
Dennis Kretzing is a sophomore here at Penn State Harrisburg majoring in Labor and Human Resources with a minor in Finance, which Dennis will continue at University Park in the fall of 2024. Dennis enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with those close to Dennis. This submission was encouraged by friends and family.
Danika Kuraica is a first-year architecture student from Mesa, Arizona. She hopes to get her Master’s in architecture and someday open her own firm. When she does write, she gravitates towards writing about childhood experiences and nostalgia, as seen in her submission to Fission.
Kyle Love is a first year student planning to major in computer engineering. Kyle grew up and still lives in Mechanicsburg, PA. Kyle likes listening to and playing music. Kyle plays trumpet and is slowly learning guitar. Kyle also enjoys reading all kinds of things but mostly fantasy/sci-fi. This is Kyle’s first publication.
August Mallott is a political science major who enjoys writing, assorted martial arts, working out, playing video games, and seeing his spectacular girlfriend every chance he can get. August will graduate from Penn State Harrisburg next fall and attend the Penn State law school.
Noah Massari is an engineering student looking to graduate here at Penn State Harrisburg. Noah wrote a short story called “Those Stellar Sands” that was featured in the Fall 2023 edition of Fission. Noah enjoys listening to power metal, watching anime, and writing and drawing. Noah is also an amateur astrophotographer who runs the Astronomy club here at Penn State Harrisburg.
Angelina Memmi is a junior attending Penn State Harrisburg. Angelina lives in Hershey—a very dangerous place for chocolate lovers—and majors in Psychology and minors in Creative Writing. In her free time, Angelina loves reading, journaling, and cuddling with her kitty (she may also be addicted to video games).
Adam Mickievicz (Assistant Poetry Editor and Assistant Visual Arts Editor) is a freshman here at Penn State Harrisburg, majoring in electrical engineering and computer science. This is Adam’s first year participating in a publication such as this, but he has a long history with the forms of media he is responsible for within the team. Both reading and writing poetry in his free time, even being celebrated as having been the Elizabethtown High class of 2023 student voted graduation speaker. Adam rarely is without a book in his hands or in his bag, and if it’s not a prose or poetic collection, it’s a Sherlock Holmes novel. Just as often is he going on hikes for hours on end taking photos of scenery, nature and animals whenever he has the chance. Adam dreams of being able to visit different countries with as little as a camera in his hands and the clothes on his back. However today, he’s happiest curled up with a cup of tea on a rainy night with a good show, book or game, as long as he can enjoy the simple moments.
Sumana Moosavi has written “The World Just Watches” to encapsulate the essence of pain and the urgent need for societal reflection and action in the face of adversity. In this poem, Sumana delves into the haunting reality of human suffering amidst the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Sumana’s poem explores the interconnectedness of humanity and the moral imperative to extend compassion to those in need. Sumana hopes that this piece will resonate with readers and inspire meaningful dialogue surrounding issues of social justice and global responsibility
Brendan Moran (Poetry Editor, Visual Arts Editor, and Copy Editor), who was born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in four different countries by two immigrant parents, is a second-year accounting major whose dream is to create stories that will influence the world for the better. Currently, Brendan is involving himself in different new ideas, and activities to further his creative expression, and soon will begin to work on writing stories for publication.
Zoe Muller grew up and continue to live in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. Zoe enjoys drawing, writing, and spending time outside. Since childhood, Zoe has had a passion for bringing imaginary creatures and stories to life. Zoe is currently an English major at Penn State Harrisburg.
Alden Murphy is an American Studies major at Penn State Harrisburg in the IUG (Integrated Undergraduate Graduate) program and is working on a creative writing minor. Alden is from Fredericksburg, PA, and besides his interest in writing and literature, Alden enjoys film and music. Alden has previously published in the Fall 2023 edition of Fission and had a nonfiction article published in the New Errands undergraduate journal.
Cassidy Peterson (Assistant Fiction Editor and Assistant Nonfiction Editor) is a Junior majoring in English. She previously obtained her associated degree in English from Harrisburg Area Community College in December of 2022. Cassidy currently works within the medical field also working to obtain her certification in phlebotomy. She has love for writing and takes time daily to sit and write about her life and desired stories and poetry that she thinks of creating. Cassidy also has a love for reading from self-help novels to educational novels and dark romance. She escapes the reality of her daily life by delving into the lives of the characters within her novels. She is a dog mom of a three year old Pitbull and a one year old goldendoodle.
Justine Shultz is a DEd student at Penn State Harrisburg studying adult education. Justine lives in Harrisburg with their fiancé and cat, Pete. Justine enjoys photography, poetry, writing, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Elizaveta Mikhailovna Skulskaia is an immigrant with a great passion for learning, especially when it comes to her faith and languages. She loves lemonade, Marina Tsvetayeva and caramel popcorn. Her work has been previously published in Rabble Review, Backbone, Fission, From the Fallout Shelter and KLIO.
Shogo Takeda is majoring in astrophysics. Shogo is from Japan and stars have always been Shogo’s favorite thing. Photography is merely a hobby, but Shogo enjoys it.
Tien Tran points out that while many of us can get our vegetables from Giant or Karns, an entire University can’t feed off of a local grocery store’s stock. Through the International Office, Penn State Harrisburg students were offered the chance to explore Penn State University Park’s Agriculture department, learning about where the vegetables at Stacks comes from.
Aniya Williams is from Maryland and currently studies psychology. Interested in true crime, Aniya likes to read and is thinking about either transferring to Main Campus or staying in Harrisburg.
David Wolpert (Fiction Editor, Visual Arts Editor, and Copy Editor) is a third-year Creative Writing major from Penn State Harrisburg. An avid enjoyer of all arts with a passion for creative thinking, he enjoys working on unorthodox projects and pushing the conceptual boundaries of any and all work he sets out to accomplish. David’s professional goals were conceived years ago with giving away all of his earthly possessions and living out his remaining days under the Harvey Taylor Memorial Bridge. Concerned loved ones have since intervened and convinced him that this was not a viable option, and he is now committed to supporting himself with work that allows him the time to see to his personal passions in writing and the arts. He has served as Assistant Editor to select scientific journals in addition to working on the editorial team for Fission, Penn State’s other literary journal. Inspired by nature and the unpredictability of people, he is fascinated by outsider artists and the belief that every individual has a deep untapped creative potential. His dream is to write and illustrate children’s books and graphic novels.