Department of English and Modern Languages present Eighth Annual spring Writing Contest

The Eighth Annual Spring Writing Contest at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University will be on Wednesday, March 18. Students are to submit manuscripts in the categories of essay, poetry and short story by 4 p.m. to the Department of English and Modern Languages office in Tucker Hall, Room 446 or the Writing Resource Center in Tucker Hall, Room 124.

Dr. Ruth Sawh is an english professor at FAMU and founder of the Writing Contest. Sawh started the writing contest because FAMU was one of the top HBCUs and thought they should have one.

“When the opportunity came, I sort of grabbed it up,” said Sawh.

There will be one judge for each category. The judges are usually former colleagues, published writers, retired faculty members or anyone who works in the field of writing.

Students must be enrolled at FAMU and in at least six credit hours of undergraduate studies. Students may submit one entry in each category consisting of essay, poetry or short story.

“It was a good idea to have a way to encourage students to submit their work. More importantly, the contest provides an opportunity for them to showcase the talented work of students,” said Sawh.

The winners of the contest will be contacted by email or letter. They will also be published in FAMU’s CaKe magazine, a literary journal, receive a cash prize and certificate.

The writing contest is open to all majors and undergraduate students according to Melanie Abrams, chairman of the writing contest. “We recognize creative people in all fields,” said Abrams.

Entry forms can be picked up at the department of English and Modern Languages in Tucker Hall or the Writing Resource Center in Tucker Hall at Room 124. The deadline to submit manuscripts is March 18 at 4 p.m.

Hannibal Jones, a sophomore english student from Gainesville, Fla., said he is intrigued about the upcoming writing contest. “I am looking forward to submitting some of my work[s] and it seems interesting,” said Jones.

In the near future, the Writing Contest committee will consider students who submit work that doesn’t place in the contest and will be able to perform as well according to Abrams.

The department of English and Modern languages Writing Contest committee consists of Professor Abrams, Dr. Ruth Sawh and Dr. DeSilver Cohen. “We encourage everyone to come out because we do fun stuff. It’s relaxing and fun,” said Sawh.

The award ceremony will be held in April, which winners will receive a check and certificate.

The Writing contest committee would like to send an excessive gratitude of thanks to the FAMU Writing Resource Center for their aiding help throughout their continuous support.