Cultivating creativity in writers is a daunting task. This year, Mount Mercy’s English faculty met the challenge by partnering with the Office of Admissions to incentivize high school juniors to get their pens scribbling.
Mount Mercy’s first Creative Writing Contest kicked off in February and drew contestants from across Eastern Iowa. Forty four juniors from 26 cities and 27 high schools submitted their original works — poems, essays, memoirs and non-fiction. The students gained a unique opportunity to obtain written feedback on their work from students enrolled in Mount Mercy’s English program, providing them with a glimpse of college-level writing and thinking.
“Mount Mercy’s English faculty were excited to present this distinctive opportunity for aspiring writers,” says Professor of English Mary Vermillion, Ph.D., one of the key organizers of the contest. “We are proud to help nurture the talent of young writers, and were thrilled to showcase the award-winning contributions alongside our own students’ creative work.”
The grand prize winner, Brittney Mikus, from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, received an Apple Ipad.® Second place went toTaylor McElree, from Cedar Valley Christian School in Cedar Rapids, and third place to Nathan Deeney, from Marion High School in Marion, Iowa. All three students were invited to campus during Mount Mercy’s Scholarship Festival to read their work in front of a live audience.
“The contest was a great opportunity for young people to see themselves in new ways — as authors and as contributors to a larger creative process,” says Scott Baumler, dean of admissions. “It was wonderful to see the next generation of college-bound students collaborating with — and learning from — our current students and faculty.”
Mikus’ entry, “Meandering,” was published in Mount Mercy’s creative writing publication, The Paha Review, along with the names of all the award winners and honorable mentions.
Read more about these creative young writers by visiting the Creative Writing Contest page.
