(Posted October 29, 2007)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The 15th annual \"Unlock Your Voice,\" a coffeehouse featuring Juniata College students performing dramatic readings of women\'s literature, will be held at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 in the ballroom of Ellis Hall on the Juniata campus. Admission and refreshments are free to all those attending. This event is open to everyone; however, the program is not appropriate for children. Readers will present a wide array of topics, authors and literary styles throughout the program, which will run about 90 minutes. Kellyn Miller, a senior from Tyrone, Pa., will be reading \"Coming Up\" by Ani Difranco. \"I am very excited to combine my love for literature with my theatrical interests,\" Miller says. Sophomore Kendall Markel, of Warriors Mark, Pa., feels that \"Unlock Your Voice\" is a great opportunity to experience some of the most unique thoughts and ideas from women. \"As a reader, nothing is more gratifying than connecting with a piece of literature and getting the audience to share that connection with you,\" she says. According to Judy Katz, associate professor of English, the program is empowering and also enlightening in that it \"celebrates the accomplishments of women writers and their contributions to our literary tradition.\" This year, two readers will be reading from their own work. Katie Cibort, a junior from Steelton, Pa., will be reading a poem she wrote in homage to Alice Walker\'s essay, \"In Search of Our Mothers\' Gardens.\" Huntingdon resident, Rebecca Noblit Goodall, a 2002 Juniata graduate whose first novel, \"Chaise,\" has recently been published, will be reading from her work. Sarah Ruggiero, a sophomore from Bangor, Pa., will be a reader in the program for the second year in a row. She considers \"Unlock Your Voice\" to be \"a great opportunity to celebrate women writers. Not only does it allow students to recite their favorite author\'s work, but it also allows students to display their own work through writing their own poetry, art and photography.\" The event is organized by Katz\'s Women and Literature class, this yearly event gives students an opportunity to develop and produce all aspects of the program as well as add their own unique tone to the show. The program is organized, produced, and performed by teams of students. The students also publicize the event and provide food, art, and music. The list of all the Juniata student readers is as follows: Joyce Eveleth, a freshman from State College, Pa.; Kasey Brough, a junior from Gardners, Pa.; Amanda Partington, a senior from Olney, Md.; Ana da Silva Rosenthal, a senior from Takoma Park, Md.; Katie Cibort, a junior from Steelton, Pa.; Rachael Mongerson, a senior from Ridgway, Pa.; Kelly Popernik, a senior from Bartlett, Ill.; Tara McMinn, a senior from Huntingdon, Pa.; Sarah Ruggiero, a sophomore from Bangor, Pa.; Mark Modak, a junior from Gaithersburg, Md.; Gabriela McCall Delgado,a freshman from Humacao, Puerto Rico; and Theresa DeMarino, a senior from Bellows Falls, Vt. By: Tara McMinn

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.