Nine Allen
County-Scottsville High School Advanced Placement (AP) English students were
recognized recently by the English Department at Western Kentucky University (WKU)
for their writing skills. The recognitions were part of the WKU English
Department’s first Advanced Placement Literature Essay Contest---a contest
featuring over 30 entries from high school English students from Kentucky and
Tennessee.
AC-S junior Harris Gregory won first place in the contest. Gregory
received $300 in cash and a $500 scholarship to major or minor in English. Junior
Zavier Logsdon from AC-S captured third place, receiving $100 in cash and a
$200 scholarship to major or minor in English. Winners also earned $50 each for
their school’s English programs.
The WKU English Department also recognized seven other finalists from
the high school; Lauren Bearden, Hannah Beltz, Katelyn Bewley, Rachel Bomar,
Alexus King, Jennifer Owen, and Macy Pruitt. Finalists also included students
from Barren County and Portland (TN).
The contest required students to submit essays about the poem “Chopping
Wood” by the late Jim Wayne Miller, a member of the Kentucky Writers Hall of
Fame and former WKU faculty member. The essays were evaluated by members of the
WKU English Department.
AC-S English educator Larissa Haynes, all sponsoring English teachers,
and finalists from each participating school were recognized at the reception
at Western. During the reception, WKU professor, Dr. David Bell, read “Chopping
Wood” for the audience and professor Dr. Alison Langdon read Gregory’s winning
essay.
The English Department at WKU hopes this contest will be the beginning
of an annual tradition.
“High school teachers are doing
some outstanding work in our region, and we were looking for a way to honor
them and the excellent work that their students are producing,” explained Dr.
Rob Hale, WKU English Department Head, “We were pleased to have such a
wonderful response to our first contest. We plan to continue the
competition next year and hope to expand it to include composition and creative
writing to celebrate more good teaching and writing.”
Dr. Hale also encouraged all students to consider to WKU, explaining
that an English major and minor has many benefits.
“WKU has terrific programs in literature, creative writing, professional
writing, English for Secondary teachers, and teaching English as a Second
Language,” Dr. Hale 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 management, and higher education.”