Winners of Westminster College’s Creative Writing Contest for high school students shared their works during the Bleasby Colloquium held Oct. 23 in Mueller Theater in the McKelvey Campus Center on the College’s campus. 

Sponsored by Westminster’s Department of English, the annual Bleasby Colloquium celebrates student fiction and poetry. This year, the College received 52 submissions from students representing 15 school districts across seven counties. Faculty and advanced writing students evaluated each piece on originality and the ability to make its subject vivid and emotionally resonant. Three finalists were selected in both the fiction and poetry categories. 

High school finalists were chosen by Dr. Trisha Cowen, associate professor of English, and Dr. David Swerdlow, professor of English, along with their students. Each finalist was introduced during the event and given time to read their work for the audience. 

This year’s finalists were: 

Fiction 
• Chloe Baia, West Branch Local Schools (Mahoning County, Ohio), “Life is a Highway” 
• Alexa Campbell, North Allegheny School District (Pittsburgh), “Reflection” 
• Sienna Karmecy, Neshannock Township School District (New Castle, Pa.), “There is a Ghost Inside My House” 

Poetry 
• Dariana Chiosea, North Allegheny School District (Pittsburgh), “No Grace in Jealousy” 
• Callum Hanneman, Sharpsville Area School District (Sharpsville, Pa.), “Walking” 
• Ava Laurenza, Shenango Area School District (New Castle), “Last Dance” 

“We were thrilled to celebrate the creative work of local students alongside the work of our own,” said Dr. Kristianne Kalata, professor of English and chair of the department. “This is a meaningful event for our campus and community, and we look forward to hosting it again in the future.” 

High school finalists received the James Ashbrook Perkins Creative Writing Award. The late Dr. Perkins' widow, Jane Perkins, and their son, Jim, were also in attendance. 

Several Westminster students were invited by Cowen to share original works of fiction or poetry, including: 

• Adrienne Offutt, a senior creative media production major from New Wilmington 
• Olivia Plummer, a senior English major from Seneca, Pa. 
• Kamryn Taylor, a junior English major from Erie, Pa. 
• Max Smith, a senior English major from Bethel Park, Pa. 

The Westminster College George Bleasby Colloquia series of literary events is an event in honor of the late Dr. George Bleasby, who chaired the Westminster College Department of English from 1954-1975. These programs are presentations by department faculty, featured speakers and majors on individual scholarship, interests and creative projects. 

For more information, please contact Kalata at kalatak@westminster.edu. 

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