Stephen Cunetto retired in 2024 after working for the MSU Libraries for 33.5 years, serving in several positions including Associate Dean. He has served as President and later Executive Director of the Mississippi Theatre Association for 13 years.

Stephen is a long-time member of the Starkville Community Theatre, where he has served on the Board and as President. He also served as President of the Starkville Area Arts Council.

Joe Ray founded Summer Scholars in 1978 and served as camp director from its inception. He is a retired professor from Mississippi State University, where he previously acted as the coordinator for the school counseling program.

Joe Ray coordinates theatre and music programs for children with the help of the MSU Symphony Association and is an avid musician specializing in guitar, musical arrangements, and vocal compositions.

Leah Wright has been working at Summer Scholars since 2005. She has served in a variety of roles at camp and found her niche in counseling, leading her to earn a master’s in clinical counseling from Mississippi State University.

Leah works hard to ensure that parents and campers feel safe and comfortable throughout camp. She currently lives in Hoover, Alabama, with her husband and two furry children.

Liz Jones is a returning staff member who serves as Girls Counselor and Programming Assistant. She first attended Summer Scholars in 2013 and has been involved for more than a decade in roles including Junior Counselor, Senior Intern, Staff Assistant, Dance Assistant, and Music Assistant.

Liz’s favorite part of Summer Scholars On Stage is camp bonding night. During the school year, she lives in Memphis, Tennessee, and works as an ELA Teacher and Reading Interventionist at Southaven High School.

Currently an MSU assistant teaching professor of theatre, lighting and sound design, Thorn also works with annual student productions of the Department of Communication, Media, and Theatre. He enjoys making use of his technical theater expertise to teach students the basics of light and sound design, and also advanced light design.

Suehyla El-Attar Young is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and voice-over artist based in Atlanta, originally from Starkville, Mississippi. A first-generation Egyptian American, she has built a distinguished career in theatre, film, and television, appearing in projects such as The Walking Dead, I, Tonya, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and The Resident.

In addition to her acting work, Suehyla is an accomplished playwright whose works have been produced across the Southeast, and she has received multiple Suzi Bass Awards for her contributions to Georgia’s theatre community. As an educator and mentor, she is passionate about guiding young artists in developing their craft and confidence both on and off the stage.

Kenzie Claire Burchfield is returning for her third year as Director of Music at Summer Scholars On Stage. She has a B.M.E. from Mississippi State University and is pursuing an M.M. in Vocal Performance at Samford University.

Kenzie attended camp for three years as a high school student and loved her experience. She hopes to provide an environment as loving and supportive as the one she experienced as a camper.

From Gulfport, Mississippi, Ryan Bergman is returning for his third year at Summer Scholars. He graduated from Mississippi State in 2025 with a major in Communications – Theatre and a minor in Business Administration.

Ryan has written and produced three albums and has appeared in numerous productions in Starkville. He is now attending the University of Alabama’s MFA acting program.

Jaylon Ashford was a camper for two years (2018 and 2019) and has been on staff since 2021, serving as a Graphic Designer, Boys’ Counselor, and Writing Assistant. Originally from Starkville, Mississippi, Jaylon was heavily involved with Starkville High School Thespian Troupe #1180 for three years.

He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024 with a degree in Sequential Arts and a minor in Storyboarding. Jaylon currently works in Dallas, Texas, as a full-time graphic designer and freelance illustrator. He continues to value the creativity, collaboration, and lifelong memories fostered through Summer Scholars. And musicals — musicals are definitely a guilty pleasure for him.

Cedar Underwood is a recent graduate of Hinds Community College, where he earned an associate degree in general studies. He will attend Mississippi State University this fall to pursue a degree in Conservation Biology and plans to graduate in 2028.

This is Cedar’s fourth year at Summer Scholars and his second year serving as a Writing Assistant. He hopes to help provide campers with the same creative outlet and sense of family that Summer Scholars has given him.

Dan Swanson is a prolific local creator specializing in filmmaking and the performing arts. An experienced screenwriter, Dan’s work includes a feature film and several award-winning short films.

He has also performed onstage with Starkville-area theatre groups for the past five years. A Summer Scholars alumnus, Dan is excited to help mentor and inspire the next generation of writers and performers.

Joe Evans has been involved with various Summer Scholars camps since 1983. Over the years, he has served in nearly every staff role — except girls’ counselor and dance instructor. (There’s always next year.)

Joe teaches social studies, music, and drama at Partnership Middle School in Starkville.

Jacob Jordan has spent the past 20 years as part of Summer Scholars On Stage, growing from participant to counselor and mentor. He has contributed both onstage and in the pit orchestra, playing multiple instruments to help bring productions to life.

Guiding young performers and contributing to the creative process has made Summer Scholars a meaningful and lasting part of his life.

Louis Codling has been involved in education and theatre his entire life. He is the first Theatre Education graduate from the state of Mississippi, earning his degree from the Mississippi University for Women in 2018, with additional endorsements in English and Acting.

Louis started with Summer Scholars On Stage as a teen in the production camp and has since worked as a writer, acting coach, and director. He is the director of the Lafayette Theatre Department in Oxford, Mississippi, teaching theatre to grades 7–12.

Patrick McFadyen oversees the bustling technical world behind the scenes at Summer Scholars. He has assisted with all aspects of backstage work in his years as a camper and technical instructor, including set construction and lighting design.

Patrick served as Shop Foreman in McComas Hall for four years and has been responsible for lighting control during more than 20 stage productions.

Zak Mayo was a camper from 2008–2010 and has served on staff in various roles for over a decade. He has worked on stage construction, backstage crew, and in the sound booth, supporting the technical side of the theatre camp.

Zak is currently attending Arizona State University, pursuing a degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies. Locally, he works for MSU Dining Services and as a DJ and light tech for local venues, as well as an Uber driver.

Erin Harrison first attended camp in 2015, and this is her 10th summer at Summer Scholars. She graduated from Columbia University in May 2025 with a double major in English and Creative Writing and is pursuing an MFA in Poetry at Columbia’s School of the Arts.

Erin grew up in Ripley and Tupelo, Mississippi, and now lives in New York City, where she works as a cheerleading and dance coach for children ages 2–14.

Jacob King is a theatre major at Mississippi State University and has been involved with theatre activities for about four years. This spring, he played Sweeney in Theatre MSU’s production of Sweeney Todd.

He is looking forward to assisting with the technical side of theatre and working with students. This is his first year participating in Summer Scholars On Stage.

Riyaz Mathews is a first-time Technical Assistant returning after participating in the inaugural three-week Tech Track and two years in the two-week Production Camp.

His favorite part of camp is spending time — and mostly goofing off — with the rest of the guys at camp. He is excited to return to the technical side of Summer Scholars and help teach younger students this summer.

Keylon Mays-Moore recently completed his first year at Mississippi Valley State University and has attended Summer Scholars for five years. This summer marks his sixth year with the program.

He is returning as a Dance Assistant and cannot wait to spend another summer with his theatre family.

Hadley Cain has been involved with numerous mainstage productions at Theatre MSU since 2025. She has served in a variety of technical roles, including stage management, tech crew, and design.

Through these experiences, she has developed skills in paperwork management, practical theatre technology, programming, and production organization.

Carissa Palmer recently completed her freshman year at Mississippi State University, where she is majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Theatre and Spanish.

She attended Summer Scholars On Stage for five years and spent two of those years as “half-staff.” Carissa is excited for her first summer as an official staff member. She is passionate about storytelling, working with youth, and using theatre as a creative outlet.

At MSU, she is active in the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, the University Christian Student Center, Theatre MSU, and Lab Rats Comedy.

Jaydon Aronson serves as Makeup Artist and Costume Assistant for Summer Scholars On Stage.

Katie Sales is an upcoming senior at Mississippi State University, where she studies Political Science with minors in Psychology, Pre-Law, and Philosophy. She has been involved in theatre since middle school. Her first role was Grace Bradley in The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever, and most recently she had the opportunity to play Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.

Outside of academics and the stage, Katie serves as Secretary-General of the MSU Model United Nations team and enjoys staying involved in the local arts community through Starkville Community Theatre and Golden Triangle Theatre.

This is her first year working with Summer Scholars, and she is excited to meet everyone and be part of such a meaningful experience.

Kellen J. Harrison is a game master, storyteller, philosopher, and Mississippi native who has spent the past two years working as a professional chess teacher in San Francisco.

He is thrilled to return to Summer Scholars once again. Over the years, camp helped shape many of his closest friendships and played an important role in helping him discover who he is.

Kellen considers it a tremendous honor to help young artists find community, creativity, and confidence in the same way camp helped him.

Caslyn Trost is currently a junior in college and will transfer to the University of Mississippi in spring 2027 to complete her degree in Secondary Education.

Outside of school, she works as a Shift Lead at Chick-fil-A, where she has been employed for four years.

Caslyn is excited for another fun-filled summer at camp and looks forward to working with this year’s campers. Hotty Toddy and Go Rebs!

Dezmond Williams is the 2026 Senior Intern and has been part of Summer Scholars for four years. He was selected as Mr. SHS in 2025. He is a friendly point of contact for campers with questions or concerns.

Myrto Sergi serves as a Junior Counselor, supporting campers and helping foster a welcoming, fun, and safe camp environment.