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Kae Mahnke

1,105

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

I have always had a great appreciation for literature and filling my brain with new information. Reading and writing have always been my passion and a tool to escape as well as communicate my thoughts. In school, I strove to be above average in reading level and knew that I wanted to write stories for a living. I believe that the written word has the power to bring communities together, even if it is for a short amount of time, and I would like to give back the same thing that I have been given. Although communication is one of the driving factors of our world, it is difficult to find support as a writer, especially in an age of misinformation and extreme controversy. With your help I believe I can begin to explore ways in which to put my work into the world while working on my Bachelor's degree in English, and bring people closer together with the written word.

Education

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Philosophy
    • English Language and Literature, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • English Language and Literature, General
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
    • History and Language/Literature
    • Music
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Writing and Editing

    • Dream career goals:

      Novelist and Journalist

    • Cleaner

      Vickney and Associates CPA
      2016 – 20182 years
    • Cashier

      Meijer
      2020 – 20222 years

    Sports

    Skateboarding

    2018 – Present6 years

    Arts

    • Music
      2018 – Present
    Share Your Poetry Scholarship
    ...afraid of being out of touch Am I doing enough or too much? When I run out of excuses will you make your way around here It’s clear that something is [missing] possibly unsaid I am an amalgamation of the different people in certain stages it is unclear what do I want to be clear I can’t decide I can’t seem to make up my mind maybe I should let it evaporate... like sweat off my brow being unprepared impairs my thoughts I let some poetic nonsense spill from my lips at all the wrong times you taught me not to care but lately it’s been a lot trying to find release, relief try to hide your face, your mind, still you have to force yourself to shine. 24 hours and this stops for nothing. All the time in the world it’s still not enough and I am still running out.
    Alicea Sperstad Rural Writer Scholarship
    The greatest thing a human can do is get lost in a world that is not their own. To place themselves in their wildest thoughts or try to understand something from a different perspective. Writing for me used to be merely a form of communication, an organized way to express my thoughts. But as I've grown older it not only is a tool for communication but for speculation and interpretation. I have grown to realize that the written word is one of the most powerful resources in humanity. A great written work should make people think, question, and seek to understand multiple perspectives and interpretations. Writing pushed itself upon me very early on in my life. I always understood that sitting down with your thoughts and letting a blank page or sticky note absorb them was much more cathartic and much easier than talking. And I wrote down everything. I searched for stories in my walks to and from school, on drives in the backseat of my mom’s Volkswagen, and on rides at old amusement parks. There was truly inspiration everywhere. Now I understand that this point of view has been long integrated into history as qualities of a real writer – or poet as some would call it. And in a strange twist of fate, I see that the world is beginning to lose its poets, its true creatives. Writing is so crucial now because a well-written work will make someone think, will make them question, and seek to understand multiple perspectives. And it seems as if all that is lacking in contemporary culture. It seems we are slowly moving backward as we overcompensate for the years of a world run immorally and painfully. Writing is so important to me because I believe that if enough writers harness this perspective and strive to make others think and eventually do, then the somehow culture can be redeemed. Ultimately writing will remain an art form above all. To harness all this in a tactful and elegant way is a tall task, but in the end is fulfilling and, hopefully, helpful for other readers and writers. Writing for me now is more than expression but tying in aspects of sociology, philosophy, psychology, experience, and so much more. Writing creates communities. Writing is like stand-up comedy; it allows one the room to say things they otherwise would be able to, call out problems that need to be addressed and create a lasting impact across time, culture, and individuals.