Four Cameron University students were recognized for works they submitted to the Scissortail Undergraduate Creative Writing competition. Students could submit short fiction, creative nonfiction, or up to three poems. Entries were judged by Dr. Andrew Geyer, chair of the English department at the University of South Carolina-Aiken and fiction editor for Concho River Review.
Thomas Juarez, a senior from Sterling who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in creative writing, submitted three poems: “Kaleidoscope, windy mourning, and The Fallen.” He was named as a finalist.
Kaley Muse, a sophomore from Lawton, submitted a work of poetry titled “Book Sale,” which received Honorable Mention recognition. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in creative writing.
Ryn Swinson’s submission, a poem titled “The Doe,” was deemed a finalist. Swinson is a sophomore from Duncan who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in literature.
Gina Welborn, a senior from Lawton, earned second place with her memoir piece, “The Importance of Being Honest.” She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communication with a minor in professional writing.
The student entries were sponsored by Leah Chaffins, assistant professor.
“I knew these were all strong submissions because the students had been working on their entries in the Writer’s Studio for the last several months,” Chaffins says. “I believe this marks the first year that all of the Cameron University students were recognized for their works.”
Funding from the Charles and Edythe Holmes Endowed Lectureship made it possible for the four students to attend the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival.
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PR#23-084
