PJC celebrates 38th Creative Writing Awards

Published or Revised April 29, 2013

Poetry Month and the late founder of the Paris Junior College writing awards, Dr. Tony Clark, were both celebrated at the 38th year of the ceremony with a reading of his selected poems. Clark, a former PJC English instructor and chair of the department, started the awards in 1976 to encourage and recognize outstanding student writing. Prior to coming to PJC, he was a sports writer and copy editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and an award-winning poet. His "Poet at the Party" was printed on the cover of the 2013 Singers of Birches, containing all the award-winning student entries: I gravitate, To the gunfighter's chair (In the corner Back to the wall); It's a natural motion For the quick but uncertain. Those sharing Clark's poems included Vice President of Academic Studies Dwight Chaney, Associate Dean of Communications and Fine Arts Beth Shelton, and English instructors Marsha Dennis and Joan Mathis. Highlighting the event was the presentation of the William A. Owens Scholarship for creative writing to Andi Clark of Paris. Owens was an area resident who attended Paris Junior College and went on to become a renowned writer and author. This award was judged by Tony Bowden, owner of Tony's Tuxes and Men's Store and real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in Paris. Dometreus LaWayne "Bo" Pruitt of Paris was named Journalism Student of the Year, and also received The Paris News Scholarship. Lynsee Parish of Yantis received the Outstanding Student in English. Emily Bart was named Outstanding Student in Foreign Language and Rosalinda Silva received Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language. Both are from Paris. Reintroduced this year were awards to music and drama students. Receiving the Outstanding Musician Award was Katharine Weibe of Brookston. Shelby Gilliam was named Outstanding Freshman Musical Theatre, and Ryan Box received the Outstanding Sophomore Musical Theatre Award. Both are from Paris. Paige Collins of Pickton received the Outstanding Freshman Drama Award, and Kevin Calhoun of Paris picked up the Outstanding Sophomore Drama Award. Swingers of Birches, the anthology of prize-winning entries published by the Communications and Fine Arts Division and produced by the PJC Print Shop, was distributed at the reception following the awards ceremony. To receive a copy, contact the English Department. Winners by category include: [b]Argumentative/Informative Essay:[/b] First, "The Attributes of Sister James," Patricia Dillon of Bogata, Rivercrest High School; Second, "The School Days of an Indian Girl," Rosalinda Silva of Paris, PJC; Third, "Three Changes in Society I'd Like to See in My Lifetime," Daniel Wims of Paris, PJC; Fourth, "The Healthcare Ultimatum," Randa Som of Paris, Chisum High School. Honorable Mention: "The Dangers of Denying," Andi Clark, of Paris, PJC; "Written Off," Brewer Money of Sunnyvale, Texas, PJC. Judged by Marva Joe; retired from Kimberly-Clark Corp.; former substitute teacher for Paris ISD; contributing writer to The Paris News; graduate of Paris Junior College, 1955; and member of PJC's Academic Hall of Honor. [b]Narrative Essay:[/b] First, "Bathing Goddess," Daniel Wims, of Paris, PJC; Second, "The Beauty of the Third World Life," Mariana Ford, of Paris, PJC; Third, "Approached the Devil," Colton Sanders of Paris, PJC; Fourth, "The American Dream," Andrea Garcia of Winnsboro, Texas, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Honorable Mention: "Sunflower Eyes," Christopher Watts of Bogata, Texas, PJC; "Memories," Katherine Wiebe of Brookston, Texas, PJC. Judged by Boyd Minner, Jr.; Professor of English; Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas. [b]Poetry:[/b] First, "Red Rose," Lacie Pierce of Commerce, Texas, PJC-Greenville Center; Second, "Awakening," Patricia Dillon of Bogata, Texas, Rivercrest High School; Third, "Cursive Circles," Amee Shull of Paris, PJC; Fourth, "My Wait at the Gate," Theresa Jones of Greenville, Texas, PJC-Greenville Center. Honorable Mention: "If I Could Change Time Would I Take Ours Away?," Derek Dacus of Paris, PJC; "The Boa and the Penguin," Kaytlyn Zimmer of Paris, PJC. Judged by Jacquelyn Galbreath, PhD., MFT; Manager of Client Advocacy and Resources at Hope Services (a non-profit agency providing services to the disabled); San Jose, Calif. [b]Regional Literature:[/b] First, "Beneath Her Eyes," Andrea Garcia, Winnsboro, Texas, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center; Second, "Overlooking the Mountains," Christopher Watts of Bogata, Texas, PJC; Third, "Walk upon the Land," Colton Sanders of Paris, PJC; Fourth, "The End of Night," Lacie Pierce of Commerce, Texas, PJC-Greenville Center. Judged by L.W. "Bud" Skinner, Justice of the Peace, retired; Delta County; Cooper, Texas. [b]Research Essay with Documentation:[/b] First, "Distinctly American Literature: 'The Era of Discussion.'" Jackie "Jack" Bryant of Paris, PJC; Second, "One with her Stories: Flannery O'Connor," Andi Clark of Paris, PJC; Third, "Post-Secondary Education for All," Mariana Ford of Paris, PJC; Fourth, "Organ Donation," Brewer Money of Sunnyvale, Texas, PJC. Honorable Mention: Logan Terwilliger of Rockwall, Texas, PJC. Judged by Michael P. Barnwell; Public School Administrator, retired; Marshall ISD, Marshall, Texas. [b]Short Story:[/b] First, "Opening to Love," Stephanie Bradford of Sulphur Springs, Texas, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center; Second, "A Paris," Keithan Tapley of Sulphur Springs, Texas, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center; Third, "At the Top of the Mountain," Theresa Jones of Greenville, Texas, PJC-Greenville Center; Fourth, "Miranda Holland," Christopher Watts of Bogata, Texas, PJC. Honorable Mention: "51," Jason Stansberg of Clarksville, Texas, PJC. Honorable Mention: "The End," Katherine Wiebe of Brookston, Texas, PJC. Judged by Carolyn Brown; Curriculum Supervisor; Port Arthur ISD, Port Arthur, Texas.