Andrew Checchia is a fourth–year English major from Houston, Texas. As a creative inquiry project, he is writing a short story collection set in “Braesville,” a fictional small town in Southeast Texas. The stories take place over the course of a summer and follow the lives of the diverse people living in the town. While mostly character–driven, the stories also track a devastating hurricane that hits the region. It will explore the culture of the region as a misunderstood microcosm of modern America—with all its joys, problems, and beauty. At UCLA, Andrew is involved with the Student Committee for the Arts, Westwind, and the Bagel Appreciation Club. When he isn’t writing, you can find him reading, making music, or cooking.