The English Department celebrated its highest achievers during the Student Award Ceremony yesterday.

“This is the most exciting time of the year,” said Darrell Turnidge, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This is when the school gets the chance to recognize the students and their achievements.”

Award winners ranged from high school students to graduate students and faculty members.

“We have many fascinating young scholars present,” said Ronald Corthell, chair of the English department. “We try to foster a continuum of scholarship with these awards.”

Angel Wilson, a senior at Madison High School, was the runner-up of the Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Scholarship Awards for her poem “House of Waffles.”

The piece was inspired by Waffle House restaurants and prostitution, Wilson said.

“It is a perspective on the effect of prostitution on society and how we all prostitute ourselves in different ways,” Wilson said. “Society looks down on prostitutes but at the same time promotes it.”

Wilson won a two-year scholarship for her poem and plans to major in business.

Faculty members from the English department judged the competition.

Judges were looking for a combination of having something interesting to say and saying it well, said Sara Newman, professor and Undergraduate Studies coordinator.

“The winners showed a uniqueness that is a hallmark of education and writing,” said Patti Dunmire, English professor and judge of the Arthur DuBois Critical Writing Awards. “Their writing is impeccable and shows they are ready to enter into the profession.”

The Student Award Ceremony in its 13th year.

Contact College of Arts and Sciences reporter Maureen Nagg at [email protected].