Writing contest reflects diversity

Coming out, homelessness, mental wellness, child labour… entries in the 2011 Diversity Writing Contest left few stones unturned on the themes of diversity, equity and inclusion. Congratulations to the winning writers, who were recognized during the opening reception of the Provost’s Diversity Research Forum on Jan. 23 in First Peoples House.

Aysia Law, a second-year creative writing student, took home first place in the fiction category with her story Cold Snap. Her piece was inspired by an experience she had when buying food for a homeless man in Vancouver. Kathleen Murdock was second with Dear Grade-Seven Self. In the personal narrative category, Jerold Flexer, an undergraduate student with an interest in writing, film and language, placed first with Victory, My Son. Natasha Clark was second for her piece How I Found Unconditional Inclusion.

First-year MFA student Kyeren Regehr claimed first prize in the poetry category for her poem Bittersweet Bean. Her work has appeared in literary journals including The Malahat Review, Grain and Room Magazine, and has been shortlisted for several literary awards. Michelle Zakrison placed second for her poem On Paper.

The annual contest is open only to UVic students. First-prize winners receive a cash prize of $200 while second-prize winners pocket $100. The winning entries in each category are available on the website at http://library.uvic.ca/events/writingcontest/. First-prize entries will also be published in Multiplicity, the university’s diversity newsletter.