Gordonia Iasianthus by Anna Tomlin

Judges

Joshua Bernard, ‘10, is a husband and father who writes fiction, articles, blogs, and website content and provides proofreading services. His Ferrum College degree is in Environmental Science, and he worked in wastewater for five years before turning to writing full time, freelancing on a variety of platforms. He is currently setting up a writing business, The Write Nerd, LLC. Mike Dunavant,’93, is a former Iron Blade editor-in-chief who majored in History and minored in Photojournalism. He worked 10 years as a journalist. After 20 years of teaching history and instructional coaching in Henrico County Public Schools, he currently works as a project manager for the Virginia Department of Education in Richmond. Cara Ellen Modisett, has taught English at Ferrum and advised Chrysalis and The Iron Blade. She has served as editor of Blue Ridge Country magazine and a producer and reporter for WVTF radio. Her work has been published in several magazines and journals. She holds degrees in music and English from James Madison University and an M.F.A. in creative nonfiction from Goucher College; she is currently a senior at Virginia Theological Seminary and a candidate for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. Tom Nix from Rocky Mount is a professional artist and a collector of local art. Before retirement he taught Spanish and led the drama program at Franklin County High School. He is former president of the Franklin Guild. He has also traveled extensively, especially to Spain.

Staff

Kristina Cossa is currently a junior Liberal Studies major with minors in English and Theater. She has loved acting and theater since she was a child. She writes stories, mostly short but sometimes book-length novels. M. Katherine Grimes is a professor of English and advisor to Chrysalis. She is editor of Critical Insights: The Ousiders and coeditor of Critical Insights: Harry Potter. She and her family live in Ferrum. C J Hughes is an Education major from Martinsville. He plays football. He and his girlfriend are having a son in April. Shaylise Jones from Buckingham County is a Studio Art major and a History minor. One of her art interests is colored pencils, often using one color for an entire picture. Another interest is pen, especially for portraits. Caroline King is a senior Teacher Education major with an English emphasis. She enjoys reading, writing, and photography. She is looking forward to discussing a variety of texts with her future students. Abigail McGovern is a junior from Round Hill, majoring in English with a Creative Writing emphasis and minoring in History. She is co-president of Help Save the Next Girl and a member of the Boone Honors Program and the cross country and track and field teams. She is also a PAL Tutor. Jacques Moore-Roberts is a senior English major with a Creative and Professional Writing emphasis. He loves to make music and has songs on streaming platforms under the profile “YBI Jacques.” He enjoys writing poetry about real situations to help people overcome trauma and mental health issues. Shela Muriel is a senior from Greensboro, NC. She is a Creative and Professional Writing major with a minor in History. In her spare time when she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to go on walks and take pictures. She is currently writing an anthology collection and a debut novel. Will Poch is a freshman Education major with an English minor. He hopes to

become an English teacher. He is on Ferrum’s baseball team. Marina Powell is from Russia. She is a Music major and a member of the Boone Honors Program. She likes running, art, writing, rock music, and her dog. Jasmine White is a junior majoring in Liberal Arts with emphases in English, Elementary Education, and History. She plans a career in education.

Other Contributors

Emma Brubaker from Franklin County is majoring in Chemistry and Ecotourism. She is a member of the Boone Honors Program. Nancy Brubaker, a 1994 Ferrum College graduate, is a veterinarian, Associate Professor of Animal Science, and Program Coordinator of the One Health Minor. D. Bruckshaw Campbell is an assistant professor of English and Journalism and advisor to The Iron Blade. He graduated from the University of MissouriColumbia School of Journalism and earned an MFA in creative Writing from National University. He and his wife, Hope, have four children. Madison Cline is a sophomore majoring in Horticulture. Her hometown is Christiansburg. She enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and reading. Casey Craddock, an Animal Science major with a minor in Equine Science, works at Titmus Agricultural Center and is a member of the Equestrian team. Laura Dymond is a senior from Woodbridge who is majoring in Environmental Science and hopes to one day be working in the forests that she loves. Mackenzie Ensley is majoring in Music Performance, and minoring in Forensic Science. She likes to draw, take pictures, and play the violin and piano. Shawn Havens from Glade Spring is majoring in Agriculture Science with a emphases in Horticulture and Crop Science. His hometown is Glade Spring, and his main interest is growing plants. Braden Homsey is a senior Education major with an emphasis in the English language. He loves poetry, wrestling, and spending time with family and friends. Kiersten Jones from Roanoke is majoring in Music Business. She enjoys reading books, writing poetry, playing music, painting, and baking treats. John Kitterman, a semi-retired English professor now teaching as an adjunct at Ferrum College, enjoys writing poetry and fiction and talking about creativity. Makenna Lemon from Bassett is majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Media and Communication. Her interests include Marvel, quilting, and drawing. Scout Lynch, who was raised in Baltimore and plans to declare a major in English and a minor in Business, loves vegan food, writing Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, and art and writing. Luis Felipe Marques from Brazil is majoring in Business Administration with minors in Sports Management and Marketing. He is on the men’s soccer team, and he has an internship in Ferrum’s Athletic Department. Ashley Minnick from Henry County is a senior in the Elementary Education program. She is involved in NSLS, Help Save the Next Girl, and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. She is a member of the Boone Honors Program. Ebony Reeves from Rustburg is an Environmental Science major with a goal to become a meteorologist. Anna Tomlin from Virginia Beach is an Environmental Science major with a Biology minor. She plans to become a wildlife rehabilitator. Lana Whited is a professor of English and director of the Boone Honors Program. She is the author of Murder, In Fact, editor of The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter and Critical Insights: The Hunger Games, and coeditor of Critical Insights: Harry Potter. She and her family live in Ferrum. Chelsea Zizzi from Yorktown is a Chemistry major and an English minor who loves to play tennis and write poetry.

Acknowledgements

The staff of Chrysalis wishes to thank the judges for sharing their time and expertise.

Gordonia Iasianthus by Anna Tomlin