Larchmont Village resident named a Mitchell Scholar
Rhiannon McGavin
Local resident Rhiannon McGavin has been selected as one of 12 members of the George J. Mitchell Scholar Class of 2023. Considered one of Ireland’s most prestigious scholarship programs, it sends future American leaders to the island of Ireland for a year of graduate study.
This year, 351 individuals applied for the 12 scholarships that cover one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The program provides tuition, accommodation and a stipend for living expenses and travel.
“I am so excited,” McGavin told the Chronicle last month by phone. “Since receiving the scholarship, I’ve been so happy I can hardly focus on anything else,” the Larchmont Village resident said.
McGavin, a 2016 Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, graduated last year from UCLA, where she studied English with a focus on creative writing. Since then, she has published her second book of poems, “Grocery List Poems.” The former Third Street Elementary student has read her poetry at the Hollywood Bowl, the Library of Congress and on National Public Radio.
“I think I have been writing poetry since I was 11 or 12,” McGavin told us. She speaks fondly of growing up in Larchmont, and the ease of walking to Chevalier’s Books, which she calls “legendary.”
When asked about being tapped as a George J. Mitchell scholar, McGavin says that she feels honored to be included: “Each of the recipients is so talented and has incredible experience. And I feel lucky to be able to study and write poetry — there is no better place to write poetry than in Ireland,” she adds.
McGavin will study creative writing at Trinity College in Dublin for the program.
During her time as a Mitchell Scholar, McGavin says that she will work on her third collection of poetry, called “Computer Room,” which explores the emotional realities of technology.
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former U.S. Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is sponsored by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance.
Visit us-irelandalliance.org.
Category: People
