"What I like most about my majors is getting to conceptualize how stories have always been a part of humanity. Classics gives me the start of storytelling and literary studies shows how it has traveled and expanded to today."

As an aspiring book editor, Hailey Drapcho '26 was drawn to Bucknell because of its approach to literary studies. "Most other schools just have English with an aim toward a profession in education. Here, the curriculum is both more specialized and expansive, allowing me to explore aspects of the field that really interest me, like publishing and editing," she says.

Drapcho is honing her editing skills at Bucknell through an internship with West Branch, a professional literary magazine published by Bucknell's Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts. "We sit in this cozy little library in Bucknell Hall and discuss the different submissions that we read," she says. "The idea of being part of the storytelling process by bringing the work of people who haven't been published before to the world is fulfilling to me."

Drapcho's favorite pieces to edit, she says, are the slice-of-life stories about "humans being human," what she sees as the through-line in all of her work.

Beyond her internship, Drapcho is active in Bucknell's literary community. As one of six Humanities Center fellows, she receives a research grant to promote the humanities on campus by organizing events and engaging students. "I love getting to interact with people who also deeply care about the humanities, and creating events that might bring more people into the Humanities Center."

Drapcho also helps lead the Literary Studies club, works on the student-run literary magazine Confetti Head, and writes and edits for the student-run newspaper The Bucknellian.

You'll usually find her reading fantasy and romance novels in her free time, which led her to choose classics & ancient Mediterranean studies as her second major. "Growing up, I loved the Percy Jackson series, and that sparked my interest in classics," she says. "What I like most about my majors is getting to conceptualize how stories have always been a part of humanity — classics gives me the start of storytelling and literary studies shows how it has traveled and expanded to today.

"Stories overarch our history of humankind, with some of the same stories still finding resonance with us, even though we're in an ever-changing society. I think it really shows how all throughout humanity, from ancient society to today, we've had stories. The one thing that constantly remains in our society is our need for stories."

Drapcho is writing an honors thesis about diversity in fairy tale retellings in young adult literature, which was inspired by her coursework in Bucknell in London, a semester-long study abroad trip that was specifically focused on literary studies. Her thesis derives from her passion for finding and creating a home for people within literature.

One of Hailey's most meaningful college memories occurred during another study abroad experience as a participant in the Bucknell in Athens program. While examining ancient artifacts, she placed her thumb in a fingerprint left behind on an ancient pot.

"I couldn't believe I was touching an imprint someone made from so long ago," she says. "That moment really sat with me. To see and witness how others left their mark on the world from then until today. For the first time, I felt a literal, deep connection to the past that solidified my understanding of the ways humans continue to reach each other, even across centuries."

Through all of these diverse experiences — from editing emerging writers to exploring ancient narratives — Drapcho building a strong foundation for a successful literary career and lifelong learning.