“I feel like everything I write has to do with growing up and keeping the magic,” shares Brandi Chesner ’25.  

For Brandi, writing is an outlet with an elasticity that is able to convey the true spectrum of the human experience. From happiness, to sadness, stress, uncertainty, and everything in between — words are what connect us and bring us together.  

“Writing provides a pathway,” explains Brandi, who has had a fondness for the craft from an early age. “When I discovered I could make my own stories, the world opened up to me.” 

It was in Courtney Bejgrowicz’s course, “Creative Writing: Focus on the Novel,” that Brandi was able to embrace her love of the written word and storytelling to start her own novel— so much, that she took it twice; in addition to Courtney’s other writing course “Exploration of Memoir.” 

In the novel writing class, students are tasked with taking the steps needed to formulate a novel. This includes setting daily personal word count goals, participating in peer review workshops, and receiving kind and constructive feedback from Courtney during regular content and style checks. 

Brandi has appreciated the way that the George School Academic Program provides space for creativity. The creative writing courses have provided her with structure to hone her writing skills further, especially with her novel. “My classes provided dedicated time built into my day to do what I love,” says Brandi. 

She now has a tangible body of writing that she’s proud of and learned that even on days she didn’t feel inspired to write, she could hold herself accountable and work through it. “Writing something is better than nothing,” she shares. “You may not know when or how you will use something you wrote, but writing it allows it time to develop.” 

Brandi also enjoys writing outside of school. She’s an avid songwriter, a talented guitarist, and even wrote and illustrated a children’s book that she hopes to publish one day. Her children’s book is a project that, like her novel, is inspired by the theme of magic she always seems to come back to. “Growing up can be scary,” says Brandi, “but you are always you and there is always joy in little things.” 

Brandi credits both Courtney and English Department colleague, Shantel Hubert, who have encouraged her to write and use her voice; art teacher Jo Adachi, for his support of her painting and drawing; and history and religions teacher Pete Holland, with whom she shares weekly guitar lessons which leave her feeling free and inspired.  

Whether participating in annual open mics in MDA Library— one of her favorite places on campus—  or performing for the school during special occasions and signature events, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Live Music Weekend, Brandi appreciates the creative outlets available at George School. 

“Creating alongside others is beautiful,” shares Brandi. “I’ve met so many wonderful people at George School and want to maintain these connections the rest of my life.” 

There is a Hebrew phrase “tikkun olam” which Brandi lives by which means “mending the world.” It is through creating that we relate to one another, and how Brandi keeps and shares the magic around her.