PJC holds 39th annual Creative Writing Awards

Published or Revised April 22, 2014

Talented writers were honored at the 39th year of the Paris Junior College writing awards on Wednesday, April 16. “This ceremony gives us a chance to recognize and encourage our students in their writing endeavors,” said organizer and PJC English instructor Marsha Dennis. David King of Quinlan received the Outstanding Student in English. Stephanie Bradford, from Sulphur Springs, was named Outstanding Student in a Foreign Language and Iliana Chakarova, from Bansko, Bulgaria, received Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language. Dometreus LaWayne “Bo” Pruitt of Paris was named Journalism Student of the Year, for the second year in a row. Taylor McCloure of Pattonville received The Paris News Scholarship of $500. Swingers of Birches, the anthology of first 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: Argumentative/Informative Essay: First, “Flames of Society,” Elizabeth Flick of Blossom, PJC; Second, “Airport Security,” Elizabeth Zimmerman of Paris, Paris High School. Judged by Kathie Wells, Instructor, Gifted and Talented program (retired), Sulphur Springs ISD, Sulphur Springs, Texas. Narrative Essay: First, “Choices of My Life,” Amy Hampton of Bonham, PJC; Second, “A Naked Clock,” Kelli Lahman of Paris, Paris High School; Third, “Academics,” Danielle Carraway of Paris, Paris High School. Judged by Boyd Minner, Jr.; Professor of English; Navarro College, Corsicana, TX. Poetry: First, “Paper Heart,” Sarah Mann of Paris, Paris High School; Second, “Tears Fall in the Month of May,” Derek Dacus of Paris, PJC; Kristin McConnell of Paris, PJC; Fourth, “The First Day,” Wendy Perea of Sulphur Springs, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Honorable Mention: “My Child,” Sarah Sansom of Paris, PJC. Judged by Shelby Armstrong, Instructor of English, Angelina College, Lufkin, Texas. Research Essay with Documentation: First, “Farming of the Future,” John Herrmann of Paris, Chisum High School; Second, “The Scarlet Letter: Unforbidden Love,” Danielle Carraway of Paris, Paris High School; Third, “Living Wills,” Stephanie Hogue of Sulphur Springs, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center; Fourth, “Pearl: In & Out of the Text,” Kaileb Williamson of Paris, Paris High School. Honorable Mention: “Robert Louis Stevenson: Bluntly Unmatchable,” Daniel Colin of Paris, PJC; “Integration of Technology in Education,” Corinna Morphew of Paris, Chisum High School. Judged by Mary Clark; attorney, retired; world traveler and travel column writer; Paris, Texas. Regional Literature: First, “The Life of a Cherokee,” Charlie Foster of Soper, Okla., PJC; Second, “High Cotton,” Elizabeth Flick of Blossom, PJC; Third, “A Description of Paris,” Kaileb Williamson of Paris, Paris High School. Honorable Mention: “Wilfred Owen’s Use of Poetry to Mirror the Harsh Realities of Warfare, Then and Now,” Glendle Wharton, Paris, PJC. Judged by Toni McMillen; Instructor of English; Collin College; McKinney, Texas campus. Short Story: First, “Rebel Ray of Sunshine,” Aldyn Lee Green of Pickton, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center; Second, “Saving Lucas,” Kaileb Williamson of Paris, Paris High School; Third, “Desolation,” Matthew Draeger, Paris, Paris High School; Fourth, “The Brave,” Kelli Lahman, Paris, Paris High School. Honorable Mention: “Ginger and Thyme,” Kaytlyn Zimmer of Paris, PJC; “Galactic Warriors,” Stephanie Gray of Sulphur Springs, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Judged by Carolyn Brown; Curriculum Supervisor; Port Arthur ISD, Port Arthur, Texas.