Abby Trantham is a junior at UNK, where she’s studying secondary English language arts education with minors in Spanish and creative writing. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)
KEARNEY – Long before she knew the word “plotline,” Abby Trantham was creating them.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney junior has been writing since elementary school. She was the kid who devoured fantasy novels, filled notebooks with her own stories and once found herself at a poetry retreat designed for high schoolers despite being years younger.
English isn’t just her favorite subject. It’s part of her identity.
“I’ve always been one of those readers. As a kid, I read sooo much,” she said with a smile. “And I’ve always wanted to be a writer. When I was in elementary school, it just became known as ‘the thing’ I do. I’m a very creative and imaginative person, and reading and writing are a really good outlet for that.”
Now studying secondary English language arts education with minors in Spanish and creative writing, Trantham is preparing for the role she hopes will define her future: inspiring the next generation of readers and critical thinkers.
DISCOVERING HER PATH
Like many students, Trantham didn’t commit to that career right away. For years, the Beatrice native imagined becoming a research biologist – right up until chemistry changed her plans.
“When I started looking at colleges, my dad made me pick something so we wouldn’t go on tours as an undecided,” she explained. “I had a really influential high school English teacher, and we had a great talk about the possibility of becoming an English educator.”
That teacher, Jaxson Kenton, is a UNK alumnus who recognized Trantham’s talent early on. He encouraged her to consider UNK’s Department of English.
“He really helped me build up my writing skills,” Trantham said. “He was the type of teacher who really cares about students on an individual level, and that had such an impact on me.”
Following in his footsteps, Trantham hopes to teach in a smaller, rural Nebraska district where she can connect deeply with students.
“Language arts is such a personal field,” she said. “People are sharing their opinions, their values, their backgrounds and their own writing, which can be very vulnerable. If you don’t get to know your students and care about them on a personal level, you won’t be as effective as a teacher.”
A CAMPUS FULL OF OPPORTUNITY
At UNK, Trantham found another community where she can thrive both academically and creatively.
“I cannot say enough about how awesome the UNK English faculty is,” she said. “Every professor is incredibly knowledgeable and kind. I have learned a great deal from them, and they’re also willing to work with you if you want to go the extra mile.”
That’s something she’s certainly done.
As chapter president of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, Trantham helps organize a variety of literary events on campus and she’s presented her academic work at the organization’s regional and national conferences. She also works as a student assistant at the campus library and is involved with The Carillon, a student literary magazine published annually by Sigma Tau Delta.
“The Carillon is important because it shows students that their words matter, that there is a place for creative writing on campus,” she said.
“It gives students who want to go into this field an opportunity to work on the staff and gain experience, and it provides a platform to showcase our talents. Getting to see your name in print and your words in print, that’s just the coolest thing ever.”
Trantham has published a short story in the literary magazine, and she’s currently working on a longer fantasy novella with guidance from
Theodora Ziolkowski, an assistant professor and assistant chair in the English Department. Her novella flips the classic “chosen one” trope by focusing on a selfish, power-abusing main character who dies just as the world needs him most. The story follows him into a quasi-afterlife where he must confront Fate – not an abstract force, but an actual person – before deciding whether to return and make things right.
Several years and multiple drafts in the making, it’s a project that showcases Trantham’s imagination and work ethic.
“I am continually amazed by the originality with which Abby approaches her studies, and her ambition and drive as a student and student leader are likewise well worth noting,” Ziolkowski said. “Abby embodies all of the qualities of a strong language arts teacher – and then some. Her future students will be incredibly fortunate to learn from her.”
Her drive to create – and collaborate – extends beyond her fiction. Trantham also channels her love of storytelling into a weekly podcast she co-hosts with fellow English major, roommate and close friend Autumn Lindsley.
Started as a class project last spring, “The Write Angle” has evolved into a polished series on Spotify and YouTube exploring writing, fantasy literature and publishing.
“It’s something we didn’t envision ourselves doing, but we’ve really enjoyed being able to dig into these concepts together,” Trantham said.
“We’ve also kind of found our own niches within it – Autumn with video and audio editing and me with scripting, thumbnail design and managing our social media. It’s just a different skill set that connects back to English.”
FINDING HARMONY THROUGH MUSIC
Trantham’s UNK experience extends beyond the English Department. She’s also part of the Honors Program, and she spent part of this past summer studying abroad in Spain, where she lived with a host mother, explored local landmarks and took literature and advanced Spanish courses.
A trumpet player since the fifth grade, she’s a section leader in the Pride of the Plains Marching Band and UNK Wind Ensemble member, too.
“While I absolutely love playing my instrument, a lot of the joy comes from the people,” she said. “UNK Music is such a fun, welcoming community.”
“A lot of my writing is informed by music, too,” she added. “That’s another part of my creative process. There have been many times when we’ve played a piece in Wind Ensemble and a writing idea has come from that moment.”
Brian Alber, an associate music professor and assistant director of bands, describes her as a natural leader.
“Abby is a ray of sunshine,” he said. “She’s always smiling and brings a positive, upbeat perspective to each rehearsal. She fosters camaraderie within her section while maintaining a strong focus on excellence. I have no doubt she’ll be an outstanding teacher – she genuinely cares about others.”
PREPARING TO TEACH
For Trantham, everything she’s involved in – the writing, the music, the travel, the leadership roles – comes back to one purpose: becoming the kind of English teacher who can change a student’s life the way her own mentors changed hers.
She already has significant classroom experience through Beatrice Public Schools, where she substitutes for teachers and paraprofessionals whenever she’s home on break. She also spends her summers teaching in the district’s Best Possible Summer program, blending academics with hands-on activities to make learning fun and meaningful for elementary students.
Those experiences, she said, reinforce how essential literacy and communication skills are – no matter what students plan to do after graduation.
“Not everyone is going to be a hardcore reader or writer, and that’s OK,” she said. “But everyone needs to be able to read, think critically and write well. Those skills matter in every field. You can develop that through books, and you can develop it through good teaching.”
As she moves closer to this career, Trantham knows she’s exactly where she’s meant to be – surrounded by faculty who mentor her, peers who inspire her and opportunities that allow her to explore every interest.
She smiles when she talks about it.
“I was involved in so much in high school that I thought I’d have to narrow things down in college,” she said. “But UNK is the perfect size. It allows me to pursue all of my passions and get the most out of my college experience.”
