Storytellers win awards in writing contest

Some of the winning writers at the awards ceremony – Atticus Garrison (employee), Jaina Gliva (employee), Mia Merkel, Ava Hoskins, Eric Zavala, Natalie Rotramel, Hailey Ortiz and Ruthann (Ruthie) Leesman

Black Hawk College writers recently shared their stories in the multi‑genre BHC Storytellers’ Contest.

The competition celebrated creativity across campuses and was open to all BHC students and employees.

The contest was sponsored by the Writers Guild at the Quad-Cities Campus (advisors – Claudia Alonzo and Stephanie Belowske) and the Creative Writing Club at the East Campus (advisor – Georgjean Pitsoulakis).

The winners

Comedy/Satire

1. “Greedy Goody Goblin” by Ruthann Leesman of Port Byron, Quad-Cities Campus student

Faculty/Staff

1. “Your Favorite Pair of Jeans” by Jaina Gliva, access services coordinator
2. “The Birthday Stream” by Atticus Garrison, reference and instruction librarian

Fantasy

1. “The Lonely Dragon” by Eric Zavala of Moline, Quad-Cities Campus student
2. “The World that Waited” by Ava Hoskins of Rock Island, Quad-Cities Campus student

Horror

1. “It Gets Home Before Me” by Ava Hoskins
2. “The Home Stretch” by Natalie Rotramel of Moline, Quad-Cities Campus student

Memoir/Personal Essay

1. “After Isn’t Over” by Ava Hoskins
2. “I know, you knew” by Mia Merkel of Galva, East Campus student

Poetry/Song

1. Untitled by Carsen Dekeyrel of Andalusia, Quad-Cities Campus student
2. “Accommodations Within Reason” by Hailey Ortiz of Coal Valley, Quad-Cities Campus student

Romance

1. “Still-Marsh Bride” by Najah Vesey of Rock Island, Quad-Cities Campus student
2. “The Colors of Love” by Mia Merkel

Science Fiction

1. “More Time” by KayNiya Willoughby of Milan, Quad-Cities Campus student
2. “Automaton” by Ruthann Leesman

Thriller/Suspense

1. “Moth at the Window” by Natalie Rotramel
2. “The Assignment” by Ava Hoskins