Bowling Green, Ky. - The Center for Robert Penn Warren Studies at Western Kentucky University has announced the winners of the 2005 Robert Penn Warren Essay Contest.

The contest is part of the Robert Penn Warren Centennial Celebration, marking what would have been the famed author and poet's 100th birthday. Events will take place throughout the weekend with the main activities on Sunday, Warren's actual birth date.

Winners of the college division, all WKU students, were: first, Alan B. Miller, a senior from Lawrenceburg; second, Kelly A. O'Bryan, a senior from Shepherdsville; and third, Craig J. Mullins, a junior from Louisville. Undergraduates at Western were invited to write essays of 1,000-2,000 words on any topic addressing Warren's works.

Winners of the high school division, all students at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., were: first, Allyson Baxter; second, Katherine Enzenauer; and third, Caitlin Taber. Their teacher is David Padilla. Students at Baylor and Bowling Green High School were invited to write essays of under 1,250 words addressing Warren's "Blackberry Winter."

Winners in each division will receive certificates and cash awards: $300 for first; $200 for second; and $100 for third.

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For more information, contact Walker Rutledge, (270) 745-5762.