Interview with DAAS Graduate Reagan Stroud

Reagan Stroud, a graduate of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences and current student at the Detroit School of Arts, joined the Oakland University Public School Academy Office for an interview on August 31, 2023. During her time at DAAS, Reagan recalls one of her earliest writing experiences was participating in the OUPSA book writing contest. As a fifth grader, Reagan won the contest and says it ignited a passion for writing, as it introduced her to the feeling of achievement through writing and instilled a desire to write more stories. The award winning story is about people from around the globe talking about a girl who shared her story with the world to inspire them to share books between their friends and neighbors.

In 2022, Reagan spent part of her summer working at the Mosaic Youth Theater in Detroit. While working on a new story, Lost In Me, her work was selected for performance at the theater. This latest piece of writing is about a girl named Epiphany, who is sick and close to dying. Feeling lost in herself, the story focuses on Epiphany’s journey to find her purpose with the help of her friend, Alexa.

Moving forward as an author and student, Reagan plans on traveling and learning about the different views and forms of writing, along with sharing what she has learned through her stories and travels. Her advice to others hoping to improve their writing skills, “Be yourself and do not try to write like other authors but instead make it your own.” Outside of writing, Reagan plays the piano, and has recently taken on learning the guitar and acting. OUPSA is proud to recognize Reagan Stroud as an alumnus of one of our Academies, and congratulate her on the selection of her story to be performed with the Mosaic Youth Theater!