Welcome to
National Youth
Story
To empower the nation’s youth through storytelling
Our Mission:
Strengthen Storytelling by promoting and teaching the art of story among young tellers
What’s happening in 2025
Get ready for an exciting adventure like no other. This year, our storytellers are in for an unforgettable experience. With some amazing updates in store, we’re thrilled to bring you even more moments of inspiration, connection, and growth.
Storytellers will participate in two Showcases, learn about the art of storytelling, participate in public humanities discussions, tell for a video recording, and record their stories with The Apple Seed radio and podcast. Storytellers will attend studio recordings for adult tellers. Tour local sites and eat great food from some of our sponsors. Share bonding time at the Museum of Natural Curiosity. All before sharing their stories at Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.
Join us in person or jump on virtually for one of our Facebook Live Showcase events. Please help us thank our sponsors.
Storytellers 2024
Capri Botkin
Utah
Elsie Parkinson
Virginia
Chase Carroll
Utah
Hannah Joy Cutrera
Utah
Mckinley Brinkerhoff
Utah
Claire Burnham
Utah
Hannah Lancto
Texas
Rebekah Garcia
Texas
Cohen Botkin
Utah
Lynlee Whimpey
Utah
We appreciate our
Sponsors!
These individuals & organizations provide financial donations, goods and services to make youth storytelling come alive!
This program has received funding from Utah Humanities (UH). UH empowers Utahns to improve their communities through active engagement in the humanities.
Capri Botkin
Capri, the youngest of four siblings, hails from a family of storytellers. Inspired by her three older brothers’ tales, she steps into the spotlight this year as a National Youth Storyteller. Beyond storytelling, Capri enjoys a variety of hobbies, including softball, skiing, and shopping. When she’s not on the field or hitting the slopes, you can find her spending time with friends, engaging in board games with her brothers, or caring for her pet snake, Ramen.
Chase Carroll
Chase is eleven years old and will be a sixth grader at Freedom Elementary this year. He has participated in the storytelling festival at his school for four years. He loves all sports, including football, basketball, tennis and wake surfing. Chase has a good sense of humor and he especially loves teasing his three sisters and older brother. He also has a kind and compassionate heart and is a big animal lover—you can always find him hugging his dog, “Maverick.” Chase was chosen to be Hans in his school play “Frozen” last year. He also participated in student council. He is excited about participating in this years’ National Storytelling Festival!
Claire Burnham
Claire is ecstatic to return to the Storytelling Festival for her third year. She loves improv, acting, writing, and all other methods of telling stories.
Cohen Botkin
Elsie Parkinson
Hannah Joy Cutrera
Hannah Lancto
Lynlee Whimpey
Mckinley Brinkerhoff
Mckinley is a 12 year old from Pleasant Grove, Utah. She has six brothers – three older and three younger. She plays flag football, basketball and runs track. She also plays the piano and sings. She likes art, reading, and writing. She loves telling stories and has been competing in school storytelling competitions since kindergarten. She’s excited to be able to share one of her favorite stories.