Annual PNC Writing Contest Winners Announced

WESTVILLE – Seventeen Purdue University North Central students were named winners in the annual Student Writing Contest for the 2004-2005 year, announced Sharon Koelm, continuing lecturer of English composition and director of the writing contest. Their winning entries will be published in Portals, the annual PNC student literary journal.

The judging teams for the eight contest categories included faculty members who teach English and writing as well as students. The winners are:

English Composition - Non-Research Paper: first place –Tacy Fletcher, LaPorte, “The Heart-Shaped Amber Prism;” second place – Chris Frank, LaPorte, “I Didn’t Realize;” third place - Jennifer Byrne-Stasiek, Valparaiso, “Ramifications of Divorce.”

English Composition – Persuasive or Research Paper: first place - Paulita Collins-Qualkenbush, Westville, “Tariffs Contribute to the Global Economy;” second place - Rachel Maxin, Chesterton, “A Deadly Distraction;” third place - Joe Semala, Westvile, “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Proves to be a Better Choice over Using Antidepressant Medications in Most Circumstances.”

Research Paper: first place - Brenda Darrol, Valparaiso, “Developing a White Racial Consciousness;” second place - Jessica Benner, LaPorte, “Infidelity: The Ultimate Betrayal;” third place – Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “A Virtual Microeconomy: eBay.”

Personal Essay: first place - Kathy L. Garza, Chesterton, “I Wanted to Raise Dogs;”second place - Bertha Gonzalez, Michigan City, “Mike’s Barber Shop;” third place - Rachel Maxin, Chesterton, “A Lesson Learned.”

Poetry: first place - Angela M. Clark, Valparaiso, “Afterwards;” second place - Kriss Tumbleson, Westville, “Erinyes;” third place - Kriss Tumbleson, Westville, “Vestige;” honorable mention - Jessica Young, Michigan City, “In My Pond.”

Short Fiction: first place - Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “Josephine;” second place - Cassandra Zurawski, LaPorte, “The True Master;” third place - Cassandra Zurawski, LaPorte, “The Beginning.”

Artwork: front cover - Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “Lightning over the Lake;” first place - Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “Abandoned Rail;” second place - Jessica Young, “Untitled Sketch;” third place - Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “January Fog at PNC;” honorable mention - Jonathan Thomas, Portage, “Paris Bookstore;” “The Woods at PNC;” “A Snowstorm at PNC;” “Close up of a Swan.”

The John J. Pappas Literary Essay Award: first place - Belinda Wheeler, Portage, “Creativity in The Color Purple.”

Wheeler's work also won the Helen Bass Williams award for African, African American or Black Literature in the 74th Annual Literary Awards Competition for Purdue University in West Lafayette.

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