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
Winner: “The Busta Cake Mistake,” by Johnathan Smith
Johnathan Smith is a Film/Television major from Maplewood, NJ who hopes to join the BFA program for his major. He has always loved telling stories, whether it’s told through a camera or a pencil. “I think storytelling is one of the best gifts Humans have, and our ability to tell stories about our experiences is one of the most defining things of our existence. The stories we create will outlive us, and if the story is good enough, it will be consumed by and outlive future generations till the end of time. So, as a storyteller, that’s my main goal.”
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.