Alison Hedge Coke
Reynolds Endowed Chair, 308.865.8672
UNK– Reynolds Scholar is the title earned by seven University of Nebraska at Kearney students for their winning creative writing, which they will present on Thursday, Nov. 11, on the campus.
The Reynolds Scholars will read from their works beginning at 3 p.m. in the Choral Room of the UNK Fine Arts Building. Reynolds Scholars are UNK students who are selected to receive a Paul and Clarice Reynolds scholarship. This year, seven students were selected. To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be an English major or minor with an interest in creative writing. Awards are based on the literary quality of a 10-page packet of creative writing submitted by the students.
Sandra Anthony placed first and received a $ 1,000 scholarship. Anthony, a graduate student working on her master’s degree in creative writing, is from Lexington. She was a third place Reynolds Scholar in 2009.
Lacey McPhillips placed second and received a $700 scholarship. McPhillips, a sophomore English major with an emphasis in writing, is from Lindsay. She received Outstanding Essay in an Introductory Course at the Student Conference in Language and Literature 2010. McPhillips works for the UNK Writing Center and volunteers for the choir at the Catholic Newman Center. She will be reading her winning work, “The Lost Word,” at the Reynolds Series event.
Nicole Peters placed third and received a $500 scholarship. Peters, a senior 7-12 language arts major, is from Cairo. Her poetry has been published in the 2009 and 2010 “Carillon” and the “Future Earth Magazine.” Her paper “Transformation, Life’s Realities, and the Pastoral Convention: Shakespeare’s As You Like It” was published in the 2009 “UNK Undergraduate Research Journal.” In addition, her paper, “Letters from an American Farmer: The Captivity of American Freedom,” was published in the 2010 “UNK Undergraduate Research Journal.” Peters will graduate from UNK in December.
Ryan DeMoss placed fourth and received a $300 scholarship. DeMoss, a second year UNK graduate student, is fromErie, Pa. He was the editor of the “Reynolds Review,” resident adviser for the “Platte Valley Review” and a third place Reynolds Scholar in 2009. DeMoss is a graduate assistant for UNK English 100 classes. DeMoss will graduate in December with a master’s degree in English.
Jacob Titus received honorable mention and a $100 scholarship. Titus, a freshman English education major, is fromArapahoe. He will be reading a few of his creative works including “Experiment,” “The Superstar and the Nerd Prince,” “Cake! Liquor!” and “The Importance of Balloons.”
Steven Warren received honorable mention and a $100 scholarship. Warren, a Kearney native, is a graduate student majoring in English and creative writing. Warren has been published in the “UNK Carillon,” “Reynolds Review,” Bluefield College’s “The Bluestone Review” and Rogers State University’s “Cooweescoowee.”
Rachel Einspahr received honorable mention and a $100 scholarship. Einspahr, an English and art studio major, is from Kearney. In 2009, she was a second place Reynolds Scholar.
A reception will follow the readings. All Reynolds Series readings are free and open to the public. The 2010 Reynolds Series, which features writers from across the United States throughout the year, will close with Pulitzer Prize winning poet Natasha Trethewey on Thursday, Nov. 18.
