Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament event supporting 826DC’s programs, returns on Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC! Learn more and sign up here.
News and Events
September 2020

826DC Homecoming Court

Gold trophy and gold star confetti

As part of 826DC’s ten-year Homecoming celebration, we’re glad to award these magic-makers for their indelible impact on young writers over the past decade!

The Homecoming 2020 Heather Borra O’Donnell Volunteer Award goes to Tara Campbell

Tara Campbell—writer, teacher, and fiction editor at Barrelhouse Magazine—has volunteered with 826DC since 2013.

The Homecoming 2020 Best Chaperone (Educator) Award goes to Topher Kandik

Topher Kandik! Photo by Andre Chung for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Topher Kandik teaches English at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, and was named DC Teacher of the Year in 2016. His students have published four Young Authors’ Book Project anthologies.


We know that magicians are never supposed to reveal their secrets, but here’s ours: this community is the heart of 826DC. Your support, expertise, and excitement have made all of the difference these past ten years. If you would like to join us, Tara, and Topher more deeply in this work, you are more than welcome to do so.

~Return to Homecoming~