Lake Oconee Academy’s Literary Society hosted its annual Cocoa House on January 29, 2026, welcoming nearly 50 community members for an inspiring evening celebrating student writing, storytelling and creative expression.
Held in the Titan Center, the event featured live readings from ten LOA students and three faculty members, creating a warm and supportive space where student voices took center stage. Guests enjoyed hot cocoa and desserts while listening to original works spanning poetry, fiction, reflection and personal narrative.
LOA Senior Brenlee Brown received first place for her piece, “Local Motion,” where she earned a $100 award for her standout storytelling. Freshman Noah Angle (“House of Sin”), Junior Jessica White (“A Pilot”), and Freshman Amelia Ingle (“New Year, New Me”) were all recognized with honorable mentions for their compelling submissions.
Additional student participants included:
Ava Baxendale (12th Grade) — “A Letter to My Past Self”
Riley Carr (12th Grade) — “A Southern Lullaby”
Ronin Gibson (9th Grade) — “Happiness”
Kayden Hudson (9th Grade) — “When the Field Went Quiet”
Jordan Klevansky (11th Grade) — “A False Peace”
Jude Lollis (12th Grade) — “The Sky”
This year’s event was judged by Lauren Ellison (LOA Class of 2022) who was recently accepted into the University of Georgia’s Master of Teaching program, and Eryn Viscarra, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Sociology at Georgia College & State University. Their presence highlighted both the academic depth and alumni pride connected to the event.
Cocoa House was founded in 2019 by teacher Caroline St. John, who shared how meaningful it was to see former student Lauren Ellison return to campus as a judge. “It was such a full circle moment, and I am so proud of what this event has blossomed into,” St. John shared.
Senior Emilia Viscarra, President of the LOA Literary Society and Editor-in-Chief of The Archetype, hosted the event and played a central role in organizing the evening. Known for her passion for literature and commitment to encouraging others to share their writing, Emilia described the importance of the event stating, “The Cocoa House is so important to our school community because it gives students a chance to share their voices in a supportive space. As the president of the Literary Society, I’ve seen so many student writers read their pieces to me that reveal a side of them I’ve never seen, and that’s really cool. There are so many students at LOA who would never share that passion, but because of Cocoa House, they can freely be creative and inspire others.”
LOA teachers Mrs. Heberling, Mrs. St. John and Mr. Craig also shared original readings. Mrs. Heberling reflected on the powerful impact of the evening. “As a teacher, it’s a proud moment when you see your students showcase their talent and toil. But as a writer, it gives me goosebumps,” she shared. “When you’re alone with your words, they can feel tiresome, but seeing others react to your vision is validating. I watched my aspiring writers have that moment last night, and I was on a high all the way home.”
Through student talent, faculty mentorship, alumni involvement and strong community turnout, Cocoa House continues to grow as a meaningful tradition at Lake Oconee Academy. The event not only celebrates creative writing, but also nurtures confidence, courage and a love of storytelling that extends far beyond our campus.