Three judges reviewed the submissions and selected the finalists. Choosing the top three was not easy, but it was a team effort. The Athens State University Bookstore provided gift cards of $30, $20, and $10 respectively to the contest winners. The contest winners, and their submissions, are:

First Place: Nataya D. Hastings, “Why I Write.”

First Runner-up: Kelton Riley, “Voice of the Spirit.”

Second Runner-up: Summer-Rae Schwendiman, “Writing has Life after Graduation.”

This annual writing contest started as part of the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan Building Success through Writing! This particular contest is led by Athens State’s Writing Center Director, Dr. Tony Ricks. According to Dr. Ricks, “Some of the academic practices this contest encourages are personal reflection, rigorous inquiry, and clear and effective written communication. The French writer Michel Montaigne coined the term essai, which in French literally means ‘to attempt’ or ‘to try.’ This contest encourages writers to courageously attempt the making and reflecting of new knowledge. It’s an exciting process!”

Students interested in sending in essays for the 2013-14 contest should look for an announcement at the beginning of the Fall 2013 semester. The contest follows a different prompt each year. The Writing Center will publish the new prompt on its website at the beginning of Fall 2013 and announce it to the university community.

             The Athens State University Weekly Writer’s Group was created for and about those who share a common interest in creating the written word.   The group will meet weekly, beginning in April 2013, to discuss and exchange any writing projects members are working on: blogs, essays, fiction, poetry, drama, etc.  The group is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the greater community in Athens and the North Alabama region.

            Weekly attendance is not a requirement of membership in this group: members may come as often as time and circumstances allow. Interested members must first contact the Writing Center Director, Dr. Tony Ricks, to discuss their interest in joining the group. Dr. Ricks hopes the group will become a support system for writers who are looking to publish their ideas or to refine their creative work.

This Weekly Writing Group supports the mission of Athens State University to recognize diversity and nurture the discovery and application of knowledge.  It also strives to prepare students for professional careers, graduate school, lifelong learning, and enrichment, and offers programs of continuing education and community services that provide a variety of cultural and professional opportunities.

 If you’re interested in joining this group, please contact Dr. Tony Ricks for date and time information.  Ricks can be reached by phone, 256-216-6670 or by email tony.ricks@athens.edu. Depending on the needs of the group, dates and times may change from time to time; however, the group will aim to agree upon a set time and date to meet weekly.