WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Seven students at Missouri State University-West Plains won top honors in the campus’ annual creative writing contest sponsored by the English Department and the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center Writing Lab.
First, second and third place prize money in the amount of $75, $50 and $25, respectively, were handed out to each of the top three winners in three categories – essay, fiction and poetry. The prize money was made possible with a donation from The West Plains Daily Quill.
First place in the essay category went to Elizabeth Kusel, West Plains, for her narrative essay “Three Questions.” Second place went to Elizabeth Geralds, West Plains, for “The Fort.” Lemuel Emunah, Mountain View, took third place with “The Monsterican Dream.”
Emunah placed first in fiction for his piece “Behind the Light.” Second place went to Jimmy Huff, West Plains, for his entry “Out to Sea,” and Alicia Newcomb, West Plains, placed third with “Z-Day.”
In the poetry category, Sonrisa Quagliato, Mountain View, took first place for “The Sea’s Song.” Kassie Deal, West Plains, placed second with her piece “Saving Grace” and third for her entry “Bradford.”
Organizers said they received 50 entries for this year’s contest: Nine essays, 32 poems, and nine short stories. “I am particularly proud of this year’s winners because the pool was so varied,” said SAAS Writing Specialist Alexandra Graham. “The poetry category was particularly full of strong writing, and that made the decision difficult for the committee.”
The first place entries in each category are printed below. Copies of the first, second and third place entries in each category can be viewed online through SAAS’ website, http://wp.missouristate/edu/saas under the “Tutoring, Study Groups and Study Skills” link.
For more information about the contest, contact Graham at 417-255-7942.
WINNERS IN THE ESSAY CATEGORY of this year’s writing contest at Missouri State University-West Plains were recognized during the recent Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony at the West Plains Civic Center. From left are Assistant Professor of English Anthony Priest, first place winner Elizabeth Kusel of West Plains, second place winner Elizabeth Geralds also of West Plains, and third place winner Lemuel Emunah of Mountain View. The contest was sponsored by the English Department and the Student Advisement and Academic Support (SAAS) Center Writing Lab. Prize money was made possible with a donation from the West Plains Daily Quill. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)