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A Message from Our Founder

How many times have you heard students talk about how difficult or boring their job of learning is?  As a teacher, I heard these sentiments more than I wanted.  I believed that creating a complete creative package of music, art, storytelling, marketing teamwork, and writing for any subject might help students develop a positive mindset. It's hard to believe that 14 years have passed since I became determined to not  sit on the sidelines.  Our children need to be excited to learn and excited to share their voice. After directing INKspire Creative Camps for 10 summers, we became a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit known as Why We Write. We write because we are in love with life and learning. We are now involved with students during the summer as campers and through workshops during the school year.  I could not do this work without support staff who are featured below.  Our Board button takes you to read the stories of the Best Board Ever.   

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She has a dream...

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Dr. Jacqueline Hamilton, Ed.D., is better known to students as Mizz JJ. Her mission focuses on helping students find happiness in listening and creating.

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After graduation from Miami of Ohio, Mizz JJ worked as a journalist in South Carolina and won several state press awards. She wrote a non-fiction short story "The Christmas Chair" that was published in the holiday literary anthology Kentucky's 12 Days of Christmas. Her doctorate research involved effective listening practices. 

 

Her work experiences include: Creative Writing and Dramatic Expression for the Governor's Scholars Program; two Chautauqua characters for Kentucky Humanities Council; and 15 years in the English Department at Eastern Kentucky University.

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Contact her at jacqueline@whywrite.org or (859)935-5153.

Teachers share the dream...

The summer creative camp programs known as  INKspire are held in Lexington and Winchester.  Three teachers have been part of the program since the beginning—Jennifer Taylor (left), Mizz JJ (center),  and Jenny Strickland (right). 

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Tech & design support shares the dream...

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Bradley Chem works as a color scientist in Ohio, but once upon a time had Mizz JJ as a literature professor at Eastern Kentucky University. After his graduation with a Master's degree in chemistry, Chem volunteered to build this  website for the nonprofit and continues to share his talents. 

Interns share the dream...

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Since 2022, INKspire Creative Camps hires interns to work with students during camp. Many of our interns are former campers. One batch included from left, Meghan Wells, Amy Wright, and Tirzah Schanding Overbee. They display their paintings of Van Gogh’s “Still Life with Apples”—our INKspire art project in 2022. In 2026, our interns include Sam Bratten and Andrew Taylor. Naomi Schanding (far right) is our full-time summer intern working on our website, building social media projects and  publications, and teaching art classes during camp. Naomi attends Asbury University majoring in art and creative writing. 

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