Dr. Meg Brandl of Austin College’s English Department announced a ’RooWrite Fiction Contest earlier in the semester—and now has declared it a success.
Twenty-three students submitted entries, and Kim Powers ’79, a successful writer himself, served as judge. Last week, students and faculty gathered for a Zoom finale to see who had won and to support their fellow student writers, Brandl said. Powers very generously provided the prize money for the contest, she said.
A collaboration of the English Department and Office of Alumni Engagement, the contest asked students to submit one entry of original fiction.
At the closing event, the winning writers were each given five to seven minutes to read from their entries. Powers said of the prize-winning stories, “They drew me back. I wanted to go back and read them again.”
Winning Writers:
- First Place $300: Hayden Fuentes – “lɪŋgwɪstɪks”
- Second Place $200: Sophie Kim – “Eight”
- Third Place $100 (each): Tied
Sonia Charales – “Recognizing Racism”
Trevor Slansky “Big C’s Diner”
Brandl, Dr. Lisha Storey, and Dr. Virginia Wood were involved on behalf of the English Department. Kate Shelley represented the Alumni Engagement staff.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, global awareness, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.