Megan Desbiens
The Corsair
As the winners of the Walter F. Spara writing competition were announced by Professor Bill Fisher at a reception held April 26 in Building 96, one thing struck unique.
Each first place winner this year also took home another place in the same category for a different entry.
In the Essay category, Carla K. Courtney received first place and third place for her essays titled, “The Right to Die” and “Preserving Family Heritage.” Tyler Kaelin took second place for “National Exams: Relinquish or Require?”
In the Fiction category, Cameron J. Bell won first place for “Soggy Feathers and Sarcasm” and third place for “Long Time, No See.” Ashley M. Kostelac was recognized for second place for her essay titled, “Monday Mornings.”
In the Poetry category, Ryan P. Quirk won both first and second place for his poems, “Spotlight” and “Semper in Occulto.” Travis Noonan was also recognized for his third place poem titled, “Parenthood.”
The Walter F. Spara writing competition has taken place for years and has grown into such a tradition that the date it began is unknown.
It was named in honor of a former creative writing teacher at Pensacola State. Walter F. Spara taught at Pensacola State, formerly Pensacola Junior College, from 1966 to 2000 and started the literary magazine known today as “The Hurricane Review.”
Spara, who was expected to be at this year’s event, passed away March 12 after a short hospitalization.
When the writing competition first started, only teachers could submit a student’s piece of writing, but this year the contest rules allowed any student to enter as many entries as desired.
To participate this year, a student must have been enrolled at Pensacola State during the summer 2010 term, fall 2010, or spring 2011.
This year a change in the competition altered the categories from five to three by eliminating literature and humanities class essays. A student can submit works of poetry, short fiction, and essays.
“We weren’t getting enough entries in the literature and humanities sections so we simplified the categories,” said English Department Head Thom Botsford.
Paul Smith, a former PSC student, Corsair editor, and now a staff writer for the UWF Voyager, won first place in the essay category in 2009 for “Laughing at Them, Not With Them.”
“I learned of the contest through my excellent English 1102 instructor Guy Pinney, who not only encouraged me to enter the contest, but also suggested I submit that specific essay, which ultimately won first place,” Smith said.
A group of volunteer professors, who remain anonymous, judged the essays, poems, and fiction without the names of the students on the work.
At the reception for the winners, Ryan P. Quirk read his first place winning poem, “Spotlight,” aloud to the audience in the room, which met with loud applause.
First place winners this year received a $150 cash reward as well as a certificate of recognition.
Poetry and fiction winners will also be considered for publication by “The Hurricane Review,” edited by English Instructor Mike Will.
The 2011 winning entries will be included in the May issue of The Corsair and posted online at eCorsair.com.
“I would strongly encourage all students who are interested to enter the Walter F. Spara Contest,” Smith said. “It is a great way to hone your writing skills and a great deal of fun- and you might just win 150 bucks.”