Members of the community gathered at the Round Table Literary Park at Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) where the 58th edition of the Round Table Literary Journal was unveiled; authors and artists shared their work and awards were given out on Thursday.
The literary journal has been an HCC staple since its inception in 1967. Journal editor and HCC Associate Professor of English, Caitlin Chester says the literary journal is a tradition that is crucial to maintain as it’s an opportunity to showcase and celebrate artists in the community.
Before awards were given out, authors and artists were invited to read and talk about the work they had published in this year’s literary journal. The presenters included students from HCC, Christian County High School, Indian Hills Elementary School, Heritage Christian Academy, University Heights Academy as well as members from the community.
Awards were then given out for poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction pieces as well as for the artwork featured in the journal.
For poetry, Peruth Nankusu took home the first-place prize for their piece, “The Fading Touch,” Aly Adler was awarded second-place for her poem, “Career Fair” and Jada Poindexter was awarded the third-place prize for her poem, “January 22.”
Adler shared her piece, “Career Fair” which focuses on the anxiety some young adults may face when finding a career path and having to possibly choose between something they love and something that will ensure financial stability.
For creative nonfiction, Callie Ewer received the first-place award for her piece, “The Invisible War That No One Sees But Me,” and Joseph Largé took home the second-place prize for his piece, “Living in the Shadow of the Atom.
Ewer’s piece focuses on the mental wounds veterans may face after returning from warfare.
For the fiction category, Kendall Mayes won the first-place prize for her story, “Imaginary,” Amelia Hewitt took home the second-place prize for her story, “Goodbye Em” and Dominique Davie received the third-place prize for his story, “The Passing: How Death Can Unite a Family.”
Hewitt’s story, “Goodbye Em” focuses on two best friends spending time while one of them is living with an illness leading to their unfortunate death.
Concluding the literary awards, sixth grader, Lane Askew won first place in the children’s writing category for hid poem, “To Belong: In Memory of My Grandmother.
Moving on to artwork awards, Brittan Joiner received the first-place award for her painting “Aurora,” Ashia Rogers took home the second-place award for her painting, “Untitled” and the third-place award went to Elizabeth Mase for her painting “Duck Duck Goose.”
For the children’s art awards, Penny Richee received the first-place award for her painting, “The Park,” Lucas McLaughlin took home the second-place award for his drawing, “Jellyfish” and Caroline Boggess received the third-place award for her drawing, “Rosie.”
Concluding the reading, Chester thanked the community for their literary and artistic contributions to the 58th edition of the journal. Looking to next year’s edition of journal Chester invites artists and writers to share their work.
Those who want a physical copy of this year’s Round Table Literary Journal can email Chester at cchester0007@kctcs.edu.
