Metonym 2025-26 Staff 


 

Danielle Pickens, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Danielle Pickens is an English major in her last semester of her Senior year. Danielle is excited to be a part of Metonym as Co-Editor-In Chief again and continue to practice her leadership skills before graduation. When she is not in school, she enjoys reading, writing, and many outdoor activities such as horseback riding, paddle boarding and hiking. She hopes that readers will be able to connect with Metonym's theme of redemption and find personal meaning through the works published this year. 


Mason Curtis, Co-Editor-In-Chief

Mason is a Junior English major with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Mason hopes to become a teacher and even publish works of his own in the future. He spends much of his free time playing games, reading books, and writing. He spent his last few summers working for Mt. Adams Wildfire where he learned of his great joy for hiking which he now does for fun.


Samantha Swanson, Co-Managing Editor

Samantha Swanson is an English major in her final semester at Jessup, ready to graduate, get married to her best friend and fiancé, Andrew, in February, and pursue a career as a fiction writer, editor —and almond farmer. She fits nearly all of the English major stereotypes, often finding herself lost in a book, enjoying good coffee on a comfy spot on the couch, with any of her beloved cats to keep her company. Besides that, she is very passionate about the stories people have to tell: whether it be through the written word or visual art.


Theda Manning, Co-Managing Editor

Theda Manning is an English major at Jessup University, with a focus in Creative Writing. She is in her Junior year, and is set to graduate by the spring of 2027. Hobbies of hers include reading books, hanging out with her friends, and attempting to pass her classes. Physical activity is her greatest weakness, and very much prefers to hide in her room. Her Christian upbringing is a central point in her life, and Theda views Metonym as another way she can glorify God with her actions.


Tayla Starr, Fiction Editor

Tayla is an English Major in her junior year here at Jessup University.  Aspiring to be a published author herself, she is looking forward to taking on the position of Fiction Editor.  She loves reading other people’s works and getting to see all the different ways others choose to express their creativity. Aside from reading and writing, Tayla loves running, doing anything outside, and spending time with her family. 


Julia Livingstone, Nonfiction Editor

Julia is a last-semester senior at Jessup, double majoring in English with a Teaching concentration and Theatre with a Musical Theatre concentration. She loves reading and writing creative nonfiction, and she is excited to serve as the Creative Nonfiction Editor of the Metonym Journal. A Jill of several trades, she teaches high school writing at Trinity Alliance homeschool co-op, teaches voice lessons at Tamraloo Studios, and works as the Student Assistant to the School of Business, Arts & Humanities at Jessup. After graduation, she hopes to pass on the delightful responsibility of honest storytelling to the next generation as a high school English and Theatre teacher. Julia is grateful for the opportunities Jessup offers to develop her craft for the glory of Jesus Christ. 


Matthew Sexauer, Poetry Editor

Matthew, an English major in his junior year at Jessup, is allegedly, in his own words “a total baller” (though no Metonym staff member has been able to confirm or deny this claim). He is known for his unique writing style and the tendency to improve the lives of his friends and family through his jolly good humor. He also enjoys playing sports, guitar, drawing, hiking— you get the idea.


Ellie Soto, Visual Art Editor

Ellie is an English major (no surprise there) at Jessup University with a concentration in creative writing. Besides storytelling, she fiends for strong coffee, knitted sweaters, and time with her family—think anything Gilmore Girls adjacent. Her biggest red flag would be her affinity for the anaculothon—seriously, she can’t be stopped. Senior year is an exciting time for Ellie, and she’s grateful for every opportunity, friendship, and blessing that comes her way.


Abigail Anton, Creative Editor

Abigail Anton is a senior at Jessup University and is finishing up her last semester, majoring in Digital Communications Art and Design. With a concentration in Graphic Design, Abigail spends a lot of her time using programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to create unique projects and express her creativity. Besides dabbling in graphic design, Abigail had a passion for writing since she was a young girl writing short stories in elementary school. One of her life goals she has set for herself is to write a novel; whether it is written for fun, or potentially becomes published.  A few other of her interests include being out in nature, listening to music, and taking care of her chunky, orange cats: Biscuit and Figgy. After graduation, Abigail plans on being a graphic designer for a local church to return her God-given talents unto Jesus.


Nathan Rieger, Assistant Editor: Fiction

Nathan Rieger is the assistant editor of fiction for Metonym. He is a Digital Humanities major with a focus on history. He has had a love for history since a young age and plans on becoming a teacher in the future. Outside of academics, Nathan enjoys reading, writing, and gaming; preferring stories in the fantasy, science fiction, or horror genres. He also enjoys interacting with works of theology, history, and philosophy as a way to better understand the world around him, and find new meaning in his favorite stories. Nathan is a glutton for knowledge, and will take any opportunity to expand his horizons.


Bethany Thomas, Assistant Editor: Creative Nonfiction

Bethany Thomas is a Senior English Major concentrating in Creative Writing at Jessup University. Finding her passion for the written word at a young age, she has spent her life reading a variety of novels and working on her own writing. She hopes to turn her passion into a career not only of her own writing, but of editing others’ works. Bethany is thrilled to be on the Metonym team this year and can’t wait to explore all of the works submitted. 


Kailea Guinto: Assistant Editor: Poetry

Kailea Guinto is a Junior double-majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and Biblical Studies with a concentration in Theology. Passionate about both, she hopes to one day serve in ministry, where she can use both to encourage and uplift others. She is currently gaining hands-on experience through an internship with Campus Ministries, serving as the Morning Chapel Coordinator. In this role, she helps organize services and grows in her own walk with Christ while helping others do the same. Beyond academics and ministry, Kailea finds joy in being outdoors, where nature reminds her of God’s beauty and His creative imagination, as well as in reading, listening to music, and spending meaningful time with close friends. She also loves studying the Bible, which continues to deepen her understanding of God’s character and her calling.


Kirsten Allen, Assistant Editor: Visual Art

Kirsten Allen is a sophomore English major at Jessup University with dreams of becoming a published author. She has a deep love for stories—whether she's writing her own, getting lost in a good book, or diving into the adventures of a galaxy far, far away. When she's not reading or writing, Kirsten enjoys playing piano, relaxing with video games, and finding new ways to spark her creativity.