FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The power of storytelling—and the enduring impact of a young life remembered—filled the room as the Josh Crews Writing Project unveiled its 2026 Write On! anthology, celebrating 159 student authors from across Flagler County.
The annual event, held in Palm Coast, brought together students, families, educators, and community supporters to honor not only the students’ creativity, but also the legacy of Josh Crews, a young writer whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident more than two decades ago. His memory continues to inspire generations of student authors to find their voice.
This year’s anthology was also dedicated to the memory of Scott Crews, further deepening the emotional resonance of the evening.
“This is packed. Are you excited? We’re very excited,” said Teresa Rizzo, director of the Flagler County Education Foundation and a longtime literacy advocate. “I’m a little overwhelmed how many people are here. But I just said to them, like, it’s so great that our community comes around to support our students. It gives me chills.”
The 2026 edition of Write On! represents significant growth for the program, both in participation and impact.
“So, we have 159 student authors in the book this year,” Rizzo said. “We have clubs in all our schools, including Imagine 4th through 12th grade. And some of our students are going to actually read selections from the book tonight.”
The Josh Crews Writing Project provides students with opportunities to participate in before- and after-school writing clubs, culminating in publication in the anthology. The initiative is especially meaningful for students who may not otherwise have opportunities to be heard.
“I think it gives them a comfortability… with being able to write how they feel, because it’s creative writing—it’s not dictating,” Rizzo explained. “And then we get to share it with their friends and their family, and their community.”
Beyond writing, the project fosters literacy development at home and in the classroom. During the event, a presentation from the University of Florida offered families practical strategies to support reading at home, reinforcing the program’s broader educational mission.
The anthology also highlights inclusivity, featuring contributions from illustrators and students of varying abilities.
“We’ve actually had some very special students who are illustrators in the book this year,” Rizzo said. “We’re just so excited to be able to showcase their creativity as well.”
Program coordinators Julie Howe and April Adams were recognized for their dedication, editing and publishing the book themselves to ensure the program’s sustainability.
Adams expressed gratitude to the community and families who support the young writers.
“We couldn’t do it without you guys,” she said. “Even the turnout tonight—it’s just great.”
This year also saw remarkable growth at the school level, with standout leadership from teachers like Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Tegan Gardner and Sierra Salza, an Indian Trails Middle School teacher, whose writing clubs expanded dramatically.
“I teach 6th grade ELA,” Gardner said. “A lot of my students that I’ve taught in the last couple years… joined because they were like, ‘I want to show off some of my creative writing to Miss Gardner.’”
“And I teach 8th grade ELA,” Salza added. “Honestly, kids from last year spread the word a lot, too—about how much fun they had.”
Their efforts contributed to one club tripling in size and another more than doubling participation—helping the program grow from 135 student authors last year to 159 this year, and expanding the anthology to nearly 300 pages.
For families like that of Annamaria Long, the evening was both emotional and inspiring. Watching her daughter, Audrey Whitley, celebrate her second year as a published author was a proud moment.
“I’m so excited for Audrey’s second time as a published author through the Josh Crews Writing Project,” Long said. “Writing is such a cathartic experience, especially for young people learning to process their thoughts and emotions. This program gives students a truly unique opportunity—not only to create their own stories, but to hold them in their hands as a finished book. That’s something she’ll carry with her forever.”
Parents looked on as students eagerly signed copies of the anthology, officially stepping into the role of published authors.
As students took the stage to read their work aloud, the room reflected the very spirit the program was founded on: creativity, courage, and community.
And as long as those voices continue to be heard, the legacy of Josh Crews lives on—one story at a time.
