Poteau, Oklahoma – April 23, 2024 – Carl Albert State College (CASC) proudly announces the successful culmination of its seventh annual poetry contest and reading, held on April 17, 2024, at the Joe E. White Library on the Poteau campus. In celebration of National Poetry Month, CASC showcased the talents of its students, recognizing thirty-nine individuals for their original and evocative poems.
The theme of this year’s contest, “Rediscovering Renaissance,” encapsulated the spirit of rebirth and self-discovery as portrayed through the art of poetry. Susan Hill, Fine Arts and Communications instructor at CASC, shared, “As we began working on this year’s poetry contest, we tossed several titles and themes around but finally settled on ‘Rediscovering Renaissance’ and the idea of rebirth that occurs as we discover new truths about ourselves and the world in which we live. The result is our largest anthology to date.”
Distinguished guest speaker and final judge for the event, Dr. Brendan Stephens, a renowned writer and educator from Alva, Oklahoma, graced the occasion with his presence. Dr. Stephens, whose literary prowess has been acknowledged through various prestigious awards and publications, shared insights from his own writing journey and collaborated with the Fine Arts and Communications Division to select the top six poems of the contest.
Juan Mendieta, a sophomore from Fort Smith, emerged victorious, claiming first place with his poignant haiku titled “Winter Mourning” and securing second place with his captivating poem “Second-hand Gold.” Matthan Mason, a sophomore from Tulsa, captured third place with his thought-provoking piece, “Mat Philosophy.” Furthermore, Alyssa Collins from Heavener and Andie Jones from Sallisaw were awarded Honorable Mentions for their outstanding contributions to the anthology.
This year’s anthology, “Rediscovering Renaissance,” features a total of fifty poems authored by thirty-nine talented CASC students, all of whom have now earned the esteemed title of published poet. Copies of the anthology are available to the public at the Joe E. White Library on the Poteau campus, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the creativity and expression of these budding literary talents.
