Contact: Phil Hearn
Eight students are winners in the 2003-04 Mississippi State Undergraduate Writing Contest.
The annual competition for creative works in poetry, fiction and formal essay is sponsored by the university's English department. Judging is completed by members of the department's creative writing program.
First- and second-place winners in each category will advance to the Southern Literary Festival, a regional event to be held in early April at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The MSU honorees include (by hometown):
BATESVILLE--Freshman aerospace engineering major Cody J. Hardin, first place in fiction for "Dancin' with Thunder." He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hardin.
CORINTH--Bridget D. Gant, a third-year veterinary medicine student, second place in fiction for "Milk Fever." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Gant.
MATHISTON--Senior communication/journalism major Julie C. McAlpin, third place in fiction for "Conquering Confusion." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny McAlpin.
PHILADELPHIA--Senior English major Emily J. Stinson, first place in formal essay for "Back Up and Give the Man Room to Grieve: The Misconception of Melancholy in Hamlet." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stinson.
SALTILLO--Junior English major Leslie E. Adams, first place in poetry for "Morning." She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Adams.
STARKVILLE--Senior English education major Chelsey A. Reed, fourth place in fiction for "Tracy and Luke." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed.
VICKSBURG--Senior English major Ashlee Bagby, second place in poetry for "Silo." She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bagby.
WAYNESBORO--Senior Cassondra L. Sumrall, third place in poetry for "Jealous of Juan Preciado." The daughter of Samuel Sumrall, she completed a bachelor's degree in December and is enrolled in MSU graduate school.