Mission Statement
HP LitFest strives to inspire and encourage students, teachers, and the community to celebrate language in its artfully written, spoken, and sung forms. We believe literary writing offers unique insight into the articulation of human experience and has its value not only in the story that it tells, but also in how the story is told. The annual festival showcases and provides access to professional writers who offer substantive artistic content and inspiration to our school district community.
History
In 1995, the Highland Park Literary Festival was born from a collaboration between interested parents and the English Department of Highland Park High School in Dallas. The HP LitFest is categorized as a 501(c)3 organization, and tax deductible contributions are greatly appreciated.
At the heart of the festival are over 75 workshops between students and accomplished novelists, journalists, poets, songwriters, and playwrights. Also, at a student-run open-mic night, students perform their own works. A writing contest and special awards breakfast recognizes outstanding student works of poetry, fiction, and narrative non-fiction.
Finally, the festival offers a free public keynote speaking event of reading and conversation.
The HP LitFest is made possible with the cooperation of the HPHS English faculty and by generous donations from La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas, HP Arts, PC-TAG, HPHS PTA, HPISD families and Barbara Hunt Crow.
Board of Directors, 2025-2026
Executive Commitee
- Ashley Blanchette (co-chair)
- Haley DeVault (co-chair)
- Margaret Lesesne (treasurer)
- Laurie Martin (secretary)
- Shari Handler (development chair / Flick Fest)
- Renne Lokey (parliamentarian)
- Kyle Huckaby (workshop co-chair)
- Carrie Jewell (workshop co-chair)
Committee
- Jacqueline Hubbard (PR / Social Media)
- Allison Small (PR / Social Media)
- Angie Hudes (awards breakfast and bulletin board)
- Caroline Trotman (hospitality)
- Allyn Waid (hospitality)
- Katharine Friguletto (book sales)
- Julie Melihercik (community event)
- Sarah Thomas (elementary school liaison)
- Zoe Williams (elementary school liaison)
- Kortney Nelson (historian)
- Carrie Hamilton (open mic night)
- Julie Nance (open mic night)
- Christina Bell (parent book club)
- Rachel Wallace (parent book club)
- Chris Palmer (presenters dinner)
- Jenn Hampton (registrar)
- Julie Parolisi (registrar)
- Dana Manley (travel coordinator)
- Suzie Forsberg (volunteer coordinator)
- Renne Lokey (volunteer coordinator)
- Julie Lin (webmaster)
- Crystal Pinson (print production)
Faculty Advisors
- Amy Brown
- Rachel Pullen
