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, 2026-2027
Executive Commitee
- Haley DeVault (co-chair)
- Suzie Forsberg (co-chair)
- Margaret Lesesne (treasurer)
- Laurie Martin (secretary)
- Renne Lokey (development chair / Flick Fest)
- Haley DeVault (development chair / Flick Fest)
- Suzie Forsberg (development chair / Flick Fest)
- Renne Lokey (parliamentarian)
- Kyle Huckaby (workshop chair)
Committee
- Ashley Blanchette (PR / Social Media)
- Sarah Thomas (awards breakfast)
- Caroline Trotman (hospitality)
- Allyn Waid (hospitality)
- Katharine Friguletto (book sales)
- Julie Melihercik (community event)
- Megan Morrow (elementary school liaison)
- Zoe Williams (elementary school liaison)
- Carrie Hamilton (open mic night)
- Carrie Jewel (open mic night)
- Tara Cosgrove (parent book club)
- Chris Palmer (presenters dinner)
- Jenn Hampton (registrar)
- Julie Parolisi (registrar)
- Dana Manley (travel coordinator)
- Kortney Nelson (volunteer coordinator)
- Renne Lokey (volunteer coordinator)
- Unmi Lee (webmaster)
- Crystal Pinson (print production and bulletin board)
- Angie Hudes (print production and bulletin board)
Faculty Advisors
- Amy Brown
- Rachel Pullen
