WKU News

The WKU English Department honored nine winners in its Second Annual Essay Contest at a reception on Wednesday (Feb. 6). 

In the Literature Essay Contest, Giovanni Del Valle of Allen County-Scottsville High School was the first-place winner, followed by Samuel Del Valle of Allen County-Scottsville High School, second; and Allison Byrn of Allen County-Scottsville High School, third.

In the Creative Writing Contest, Collin Preston of Franklin-Simpson High School was the first-place winner, followed by Damon Stone of Allen County-Scottsville High School, second; and Shelby Beaty of Warren Central High School, third.

In the Composition Essay Contest, Madelyn Curry of Hancock County High School was the first-place winner, followed by Rachel Taylor of Logan County High School, second; and Katherine Poole of Hancock County High School, third.

The first-place winners received $200 in cash and a $500 scholarship to major or minor in English at WKU; second-place winners received $100 in cash and a $300 scholarship to major or minor in English at WKU; and third-place winners received $50 in cash and a $200 scholarship to major or minor in English at WKU. Winners also earned $50 each for their school’s English programs. The essays were evaluated by members of the WKU English Department.

Nearly 50 students entered the contest, and all high school English teachers who sponsored their students were honored as well: Larissa Haynes of Allen County-Scottsville High School; Rosemarie Grice of Barren County High School; Scott Gural and Tiffany Lowder of Bowling Green High School; Elizabeth Helm of Hancock County High School; Ryan Bailey of Logan County High School; Robin Wyatt of Franklin-Simpson High School; and Sara Ann Alexander and Pamela Mark of Warren Central High School.

Junior English major Jessica McCormick spoke at the celebration and discussed her path in choosing WKU and the English major. Dr. Ted Hovet read “You Were Sleeping While it Happened,” a poem by the late Mary Ellen Miller, the first poet laureate of WKU and a professor in the WKU English Department for over 50 years. The students who entered the Literature Essay contest analyzed this poem.

The English Department was excited to see a large increase in participation in the second year of the contest. “High school teachers are doing outstanding work in our region, and we wanted to honor them and the excellent writing that their students are producing,” said Dr. Rob Hale, department head. “We were pleased to have such significant growth in the number of entries this year and look for more growth as word gets out next year.” 

Dr. Hale encouraged students to consider an English major and minor and explained the many benefits. “WKU has terrific programs in literature, creative writing, professional writing, English for Secondary teachers, and teaching English as a Second Language,” he said. “Coursework and mentoring by our faculty have enabled our graduates to have richer, more fulfilling personal lives and successful careers in law, national and international non-profit work, teaching, farmer’s market administration, the military, business, technical writing, editing, creative writing, technology administration, screenwriting, newspaper editing, comedy, graphic design, art, project manager, and higher education – and most importantly it makes you a better person.”

The English Department recognized 21 other finalists -- from Allen County-Scottsville High School: Dorian Blankenship, Bryson Bonds, Ella Burch, Meg Foster, Robin Gagen, Emily Guedea, Felicia Hawkins, Karley Keen and Brinley Swift; from Hancock County High School: Shasta Burk, Gabriel Ditch, Spencer Harpenau and Carson Wheatley; from Warren Central High School: Tara Hardin, Erica McGrew and Thang Mun; from Franklin-Simpson High School: Erin Mathews; from Bowling Green High School: Chloe Milliken, Jennifer Nguyen and Hemali Patel; and from Barren County High School: Cody Smith. 

Contact: Dr. Rob Hale, rob.hale@wku.edu, (270) 745-3043