The University of Akron Wayne College’s eighth annual Student and Regional Writing Awards competition recognizes students from area high schools, Wayne College students and community members who submitted exceptional pieces of writing.
           “We had more than 300 submissions for all the awards, including more than 180 entries from 29 area high schools,” says Dr. Sue Horn, coordinator of the writing center. “There is a wonderful pool of talent in Wayne, Holmes and Medina counties.”
           High school and college writers competed in short story, poetry or personal essay categories; regional writing competitors wrote poetry, short story or nonfiction pieces. The winners in each category receive a monetary prize and complimentary registration to the Wayne College Writers Workshop on April 12. This year will be the first that the college also will present The Writer of the Year award, to be announced at the workshop.
In the high school short story category, first place went to Jessica Zolnowski, who attends the Medina County Career Center. The second-place award went to Rachel Grimm, of Dalton High School. Megan Anderson, of Triway High School, took third place, and Erin Gorrell, also from Triway, received honorable mention.
           In the high school poetry category, Melissa Demiglio, of Wadsworth High School, won first place. Meghan Lane, of Jackson High School, was awarded second place. Third-place honors went to Laura Guldeman of Highland High School.
Emily Votaw, of Highland High School, was the first-place winner in the high school personal essay category. From Chippewa High School, Brittany Hymes placed second and Julie Hinkel, Wayne County Career Center, received third place.
            In the college short story division, Jean Calvert of Wooster received the first-place award. Calvert was also the first-place winner in the college poetry category, with Nicole Hall of Dalton taking second place honors.
            Calvert was a triple threat in this year’s competition by taking first place also in the personal essay category for Wayne College students. Second place was awarded to Sarah Wise of Doylestown, and Casandra Palmer of Orrville received third-place recognition.
            In the regional awards short story category, first place went to Thomas Dukes of Richfield. The second-place award went to Rae Hallstrom of Hartville. Matthew Gamertsfelder of Massillon took third place.
In the regional awards poetry category, Dukes was again the first-place winner. Michelle Bissell from Kent was awarded second place. Third-place honors went to Charles Jeronis of Medina, with honorable mention to Joseph McLaughlin from Dover.
            Kathleen Forfia of Orrville was the first-place winner in the regional nonfiction category. Audrey Lavin of Canton placed second and Jennifer Smith of Doylestown received third place.