Writers win literary contest
by David Whiteman, reporter

    Four students received highest honors in the third Under the Clock Tower Literary Journal Writing Competition on NE Campus.
Sponsored by the English department, the literary journal features poetry, essays and short stories submitted by the students.

   Winning students included Andrew Hobbs, first place; Omar Vargas, second; Mary Danz, third; and Paige Oliver, fourth.

   Each student was allowed to enter as many as eight pieces: six poems and two short stories. The department received 51 total entries that included poetry, short stories, fiction and essays.

   Cuyler Etheredge, assistant professor of English and editor for the journal, organized this competition to encourage creative writing.

   “What I’ve discovered through teaching English courses is that most of my students really welcome the chance to do something creative, and that a lot of people are interested in creative writing,” Etheredge said.

   The winning selections were awarded points based on originality and freshness. Several entries received nominations for honorable mention for inclusion in the journal.

   Hobbs’ On the Edge, a poem about the effects of World War II on a boy and his mother, won first place.

   “It was a time snapshot of that one small period in time. It was a sudden inspiration I wrote in class shortly after the events of Sept.11, and there were several others pieces that dealt with war,” he said.

   Vargas won second place for his poem Omar about his experiences of his first day of school.

   “I think it’s great to be published in the school journal. It sparks some kind of motivation for me to write more,” he said.

   Sam’s World Not, a poem about an older man who is unhappy with his life, took third-place honors for Danz.

   Danz described the man as living in a dark world, a sad life.

   “It kind of reminded me a little bit of a man that I know and his small world that he lives in. Winning was a nice surprise,” she said.

   Danz also won last spring’s competition.

   Oliver said her short story The End of the World was about two high school friends, one with a prediction of the end of the world.

   “It was a creative writing assignment in class, and I revised it and submitted it. I’m glad I won, but I didn’t really have any expectations,” she said.

   The winners had submitted several other pieces but many of them were pleased with the works that won.

   Along with Etheredge, English department judges included Deb Armstrong, instructor; Don Black, adjunct professor; Nancy Roediger, associate professor, and Cindy Baw, assistant professor.

   “I think we were simply looking for quality, and, of course, we weren’t making any distinctions between poetry, fiction or essays.

   “It all went into one big basket and every judge read everything and then responded with the works that they felt were the best,” Etheredge said.

   Prizes were awarded to the winners: $100 for first place, $75 for second, $50 for third and $25 for fourth.

   “Often times traditional English classes don’t have assignments that allow them that kind of outlet. I realized that there was some kind of need or opportunity to encourage people to write and to submit their writings for other people to see,” she said.

   Etheredge said that department members encourage students to enter the writing competition, which provides material for the journal as well

   These winning selections and other submissions will be published in next year’s Under the Clock Tower, scheduled for publication in October. Students may still submit works for the journal until March.

   Etheredge said she is always amazed while judging the works.

   “You’ll be reading a group of things, and all of a sudden you realize you have in your hands something that’s alive. It’s almost physical,” she said.

   Etheredge compared it to class.

   "In class when people are reading aloud and someone reads something that’s really good, there’s a physical response to it. Your body knows it’s something very special,” she said.