UMN First-Year Writing Program Student Writing Awards

We are excited to announce the winning essays for this year’s FYW Student Writing Awards. The annual FYW Student Writing Awards offer us a chance to recognize and celebrate first-year writing student voices, creativity and writing development.This year’s 77 submissions demonstrated a range of student interests – from climate crisis to sleep, generative AI to romance novels, music therapy to deja vu, with an emphasis on mental health and wellness. We also received an array of forms – from podcasts to personal essays, and a large number of video essay submissions. 

2024 FYW Student Writing Awards

In Desantis vs. Pride, Hunter Kotte presents a surprisingly funny take on Ron DeSantis's systematic oppression of LGBT rights in Florida over the last several years. Kottke examines a variety of evidence and expertly utilizes the conventions of the video essay genre. This approach appeals to his audience through a unique writing style that makes even the most serious topics engaging. Kottke provides a deep dive into everything from DeSantis’s war on “woke ideology" to Florida’s “don’t say gay” legislation but ends on a note of hope that compares this moment to other key moments in American history when citizens and communities fought against oppression together.

In Romance-ifying Harmful Masculinity, Cayman Pagel shares her love of romance novels and explores what this “girly” genre of storytelling might have to offer boys and men. In this video essay, Pagel argues that the emotional vulnerability, empathy and connection present in romance novels (defined generously – from Twilight to Fourth Wing to Pride and Prejudice) contains valuable lessons. Pagel cites research on the harmful effect of gender norms on male mental health. Pagel draws on this research, on her own passion for the genre, and on conversations with male friends to engage viewers with humor and levity in an exploration of the role literature might play in shifting male gender expectations to be more supportive of the emotional connection and vulnerability that are essential to mental health.

In “The Scroll Effect,” Ava Kolb digs deep into the relevant phenomenon of “doom scrolling,” excessive consumption of online news that negatively impacts mental health. This engaging and accessible podcast episode describes current research and relates the results of Kolb’s own campus survey about how doom scrolling played a role in student lives during the recent presidential election. The study revealed that, overwhelmingly, students engaged in doom scrolling and experienced its negative impact on mental health, both during the election period and outside of it. Kolb faces head-on the complexity of balancing the desire to stay informed with protecting one’s mental health, and she encourages us to recognize how large quantities of negative information can make us feel less empowered and more disconnected. She offers specific strategies for recognizing problematic scrolling and engaging in more empowering, healthy activities.

“Gone with the Wind” by Amelia Liu follows the story of two friends brought together in childhood and parted at the threshold of adulthood. Liu’s narrative beautifully captures the sense of connection and admiration that the narrator and her childhood best friend shared. At times, readers might sense the narrator’s concern for not feeling worthy of or measuring up to the success and popularity of her friend, but in sharing the ways the women attend to each other, we understand the depth of their bond. Liu’s descriptive writing invites us to experience the pangs of loss alongside joy and gratitude for such a formative and intimate relationship.

Scott Jacobsen Award

In Is Climate Change Our Fault?, Andrew Urueta skillfully creates an informative and researched video essay on the impact of human activity on climate change. By posing the question how much of climate change is really my fault?, Urueta humorously explores what steps the everyday person can take to help the environment alongside data and facts which ultimately reveal that greenhouse gas emissions have mostly improved over the past few decades. Yet there is more that can be done, and Urueta informs his audience of the ways they can participate in and reach out to their communities to affect climate change, not only what they can do in their own homes. Urueta is the Winner of the Scott Jacobson Award for his consistent and effective use of wit and humor throughout the video to tackle an important issue. 

Honorable Mentions

In Navigating Body Image in the Digital Era, Courtney Phillippi blends personal experience, thoughtful research, and an engaging interview to explore the complex relationship between social media and body image for teenage girls. Drawing on her own background in competitive figure skating, Phillippi reflects on the pressures placed on young athletes and invites guest speaker Delaney Ross to share her experiences. Phillippi’s conversational tone and mix of expert research and personal storytelling make this podcast both relatable and informative, leaving listeners with an empowering message of self-acceptance.

In How do microaggressions affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ students?, Joel Lujan takes a personal approach as he defines microaggressions, gives examples relative to his audience, presents a variety of research, and gives his audience some strategies to be part of the solution. Throughout the video essay, Lujan uses light humor and personal stories to connect with his audience and make this serious topic accessible to all viewers.