Winners of the 2012 Southern Arkansas University Writing Contest were named on May 1, reflecting a diverse and talented pool of writers on campus. According to Dr. Shannin Schroeder, Associate Professor for the Department of English and Foreign Languages and Director of the SAU Writing Center, each category is critiqued by three different sets of judges in a blind reading process.

The competition is sponsored by the Department of English and Foreign Language and the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Winners’ original works will be published in the 2012 issue of Emergence, the SAU student literary publication. According to Schroeder, the competitive showing of writing this year was exceptional. Monetary awards are associated with each level of recognition. First place winners receive $100, second place $50 and third place $25.

POETRY

1st place – Jill Fennell, “Blue Racer”

2nd place – Daniel Kasper, “[Blue is a form of light radiation]”

3rd place – David Campbell, “Ode to Our One and Only Obstinate Opposition”

CREATIVE NONFICTION

1st place – Christina Wilson, “Daughter of Dorothy”

2nd place – Paige Burkham, “A Comparison of the Writing Center & the Family Business, or

Crap My Dad Says: the Barnyard Version”

3rd place – Johanna Hensley, “Consulting 101”

SHORT FICTION

1st place – Jill Fennell, “Sun & Shade”

2nd place – Majesta Miles, “Fair Weather”

3rd place  – James Schlag, “Jump”