The Muskegon Writer’s Series and MCC’s Department of English & Communications are proud to announce the Winter 2021 winners of the Creative Writing Contest. The awards are granted to students whose work demonstrates “individuality, imagination, and control of formal elements,” said MCC English Instructor Shauna Hayes, who also advises the contest. “It is a joy every semester to read through all of the Creative Writing Contest submissions.  Our students never cease to amaze us with their creativity, depth of thought, and societal awareness.  Choosing the top three pieces in each category is extremely challenging with so much talent presented.”

Poetry:

1^st place – “I Stole the Lighter” by Keegan Colcleasure

2^nd place – “Ceramic, Painted to Look Like Wood” by Serena Schultz

3^rd place – “Summer’s Dream” by Lance Klemple

Fiction:

1^st place – “The Appointment” by Taylor Strand

2^nd place –“Prey” by Keegan Colcleasure

3^rd place – “The Perspective” by James Switzer-Moe

Photography:

1^st place – “Lowell, AZ” by Cassie Pierce

2^nd place – “Old Red” by Rhonda Mullenaux

3^rd place – “God’s Day” by Jordan Hill

Artwork:

1^st place – “Serenity” by Gypsy Bates

2^nd place –“One With Nature” by Kaylin Meyers

3^rd place – “Transformation” by Jessie Nieboer

Cover Art: “Serenity” by Gypsy Bates

“The winners this year also demonstrated a sense of hopefulness, which is critical given what we have all experienced this past year,” added Hayes.  All winners of the Creative Writing Contest and several contributors will be featured in the upcoming edition of River Voices. First place winners are pictured below. Not pictured: Keegan Colcleasure.