What are the Exemplary Essay Awards?
The Exemplary Essay Awards are a way for us to celebrate WRIT 105 and 106 students who are writing sophisticated pieces of prose, and a way for students to continue their work beyond their portfolios. There is one $100 Red Hawk Dollars award available for each category: WRIT 105 and WRIT 106. The winning students are listed here on the First-Year Writing website.
2024 Winners
WRIT105
WINNER:“The Paradox of Invisibility and Visibility”, by Allen Lopez
Allen is a freshman majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Japanese. Outside of school, he takes acting classes and enjoys traveling, photography, drawing, and writing.
HONORABLE MENTION: “The Angel on My Shoulder”, by Natalie Yanes
WRIT106
WINNER: “Flavors of Resilience: Exploring Palestinian Cuisine”, by Tanya Abu Kamal
Tanya is a Biology major originally from Palestine with a deep passion for science and a strong drive to pursue a career in medicine. Her goal is to become a physician and make a meaningful impact in the medical field. Outside of academics, she loves watching movies and enjoys dancing dabke, a cultural tradition that keeps her connected to her roots. She’s excited to keep learning and growing on this journey!
HONORABLE MENTION: “From Fairy Tale to Nightmare”, by Arohi Vaghani
HONORABLE MENTION: “Adobo Any Time”, by Tori Opitz
2023 Winners
WRIT 105
Winner: “The Busta Cake Mistake,” by Johnathan Smith
Honorable Mention: “Toxic Relationships in the Media: The Bad and the Ugly,” by Malak Bayoumy
Honorable Mention: “The War on Drag,” by Jessica Sconfienza
WRIT 106
Winner: “The Not-So-Authentic Native American Experience,” by Kelly Naspo, WRIT 106 Winner
Honorable Mention: “Power Dynamics of Sex Work in ‘The Company of Wolves,'” by Anonymous
Honorable Mention: “Disenfranchised Grief: Exploring the Complexities of Hidden Sorrow,” by Annabelle Kempf
2022 Winners
WRIT 105: “Creating and Coping: How Art Therapy Can Improve Mental Health,” WRIT 105
Sabrina Whikehart is in her freshman year at Montclair State University. She is a Psychology major with a minor in Film.
WRIT 106: “A Bad Case of Intolerance”
I am a queer writer in my sophomore year at Montclair State University, originally from Clifton, New Jersey. I study Medical Humanities, and when I’m not plotting against corrupt healthcare institutions, I enjoy writing narrative-heavy music and crying over Adam Silvera novels.