Press Releases

2012 Mary Helen Washington Writing Award Contest Winners Announced

DETROIT, March 15, 2012 — The Department of English and Modern Languages at Marygrove College has just completed the judging for the second year of the Mary Helen Washington Writing Award Contest, offered in conjunction with our Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series (CAALS). Named after nationally-renowned scholar, editor, essayist, and teacher Dr. Mary Helen Washington, and supported through the generosity of series sponsors Lillian and Don Bauder, this annual contest asks students to write essays in response to the works of the CAALS guest artist. The top four winners receive cash prizes.

This year, students wrote their essays on the works of novelist, poet, and literary scholar Paul Beatty.

The College is pleased to announce this year’s winners, listed below with their essay titles, schools, and teachers:

Grand Prize: Nadia Cannon, "Exception," Martin Luther King High School, Francene Ambrose-Gunn

Second Prize: Mikaela Zamarron, "The Childhood of a Chinese Bastard," Cass Technical High School, Vicki Green

Second Prize: Brenda Vasconcelos, "Cutting Deep, Doesn't Set Me Free," Cass Technical High School, Vicki Green

Second Prize: Lujine Nasralla, "Vanilla-Filled Chocolate Cake," Fordson High School, Kerry Howell

The winners will receive their recognition at the Master Class held on the morning of April 20, 2012, with Mr. Beatty.

Although the entries for the contest were submitted and judged anonymously, the College is proud to announce that the teachers of the winning students are all former students in Marygrove's Department of English and Modern Languages.

The Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture, featuring a reading and book signing by Mr. Beatty, will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 20, in Alumnae Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

###

ABOUT MARYGROVE COLLEGE

Founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in 1905, Marygrove College is an independent liberal arts college and a Catholic institution of higher learning committed to developing leaders for the new global society. The main campus is situated on 53 wooded acres in northwest Detroit.

8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221

www.marygrove.edu