Cochise Newsroom

Writers of all ages were recognized during Cochise College’s Creative Writing Celebration on April 10.  

 

“The winners represented a wide variety of stories and poems from all around Cochise County,” said Alex O’Meara, director of the Herald/Review Writing Contest and the college’s Kids Writing Contest. “The contests this year had more entries than in any previous years.” 

 

The Writing Contest recognizes the top three entries in poetry, fiction and memoir awarding $200 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third place. 

 

In poetry, first place went to Gretchen Hill for “A moment from my mother’s last days,” Emily Duchon earned second place for “Archie and the Pigeon,” and Tina Quinn Durham placed third for “BISBEE HAIKI.” 

 

In fiction, Joseph Bertucca received first-place honors for “Death, Alibis and Good Poisoning in the City of Sin.” 

 

For memoir, Debra Kantor earned second place for her story, “Winning a Nobel Prize.” Kantor also won second prize for her entry, “Terror and Quiet.” Nick Mueller placed third for his entry, “Chess Christmas arrived in Bisbee…” 

 

Young writers were also recognized through the college’s Kids Writing Contest judged by librarians from across Cochise County. Entries were limited to 200 words and grouped by grade levels. Each winning entry received a certificate of accomplishment and a $20 gift certificate to the Little Library Bookstore in Sierra Vista. 

 

In the K-4 category, first place was awarded to Lilly Messina for her story, “A Buffalo’s Autobiography.” Second place was awarded to Emerson Casale for the story, “The Talking Library,” while third place was won by Ruby Casale for the story, “TacoLand.” 

 

In the grades 5-8 category, Avalyn Garvin won first place for “In the Forest.” Ahmadou Diasse earned second for “The Freak in the Dark of the Moon” and Meniah Robbins placed third for “Beauty Standards.” 

 

The 9-12 grade category winners were first place to “The Fate of Icarus,” by Mikayla Hancock. Second place was awarded to Cheyenne Flores for “Thorns,” while third place went to Jackson Weinberg for the story, “What a River is Said to Be.” 

 

The contests are part of the annual Creative Writing Celebration, which brings in guest speakers and writing workshops. This year’s guest lecturer was Robert Neustadt, a playwright, author and Spanish professor at Northern Arizona University. 

 

Winners from both contests will be published in Herald/Review Media. Writing Contest winners will also have their work published in the Mirage, Cochise College’s literary and arts magazine.  

 

For more information about the Creative Writing Celebration and the writing contests, visit the college's website at www.cochise.edu.