Four Allen
County-Scottsville High School English students were among nine students honored
last week as winners in the second annual Essay Contest sponsored by the
English Department at Western Kentucky University.
In the Literature Essay Contest, AC-SH students took first, second, and third place. Junior Giovanni Del Valle was the first-place winner with junior Samuel Del Valle placing second. Junior Allison Byrn was third.
In the Creative Writing Contest, Collin Preston of Franklin-Simpson High School was the first-place winner, followed by junior Damon Stone from AC-SH, second. Shelby Beaty of Warren Central High School was 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
representing seven high schools entered the contest. All high school English
teachers who sponsored their students were honored as well including AC-S
English educator Larissa Haynes.
During last week’s
recognition ceremony at WKU. English Department Head Dr. Rob Hale encouraged
the students to consider English as a major or minor.
“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 manager, and higher education – and most importantly it
makes you a better person.”
The English Department recognized 21 other finalists including Dorian Blankenship, Bryson Bonds, Ella Burch, Meg Foster, Robin Gagen, Emily Guedea, Felicia Hawkins, Karley Keen and Brinley Swift from Allen County-Scottsville.