Dec. 2013 — The Crowder Quill, the literary/art magazine of Crowder College, has been awarded a “First Place with Special Merit” from the American Scholastic Press Association as well as the prestigious top award of “Best Community College Literary-Art Magazine” for 2500+ enrollment category.

The organization, located in College Point, New York, judges high school and college publications based on content, organization, design, presentation, and creativity.

The award was based on the spring 2013 publication. Staff members included Sean Armstrong, Neosho; JoJo Brinkhoff, Stella; Becky Embry-Kirby, Lanagan; Emily Gritten, Neosho; Ryan Land, Goodman; Crystal Moody, Rocky Comfort; Allie Oxford, Neosho; Hannah Scroggs, Joplin; Logan Stark, Neosho; James Walls, Neosho; Mason Whitman, Neosho; and staff adviser Latonia Bailey, Goodman.

“The Crowder Quill is an amazing publication! You have mastered not only the elements of a good publication but you have also published excellent works from your school population. Crowder Quill is a model for those up-and-coming magazines and inspiration for those magazines that haven’t quite aced the necessary skills,” said Richard Plass, chairman of the contest, in a congratulatory letter to the Quill staff.

Entries for the current contest are due Feb. 4. Categories include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, and photography for high school and Crowder College students as well as adult community members. Winners will be notified in April and recognized at an awards ceremony Thursday, May 8 on the Neosho campus of Crowder College.

Since, 1980 the Quill has been published and distributed free on campus and in the community to “showcase and encourage artists and authors,” said Bailey.

For more information, contact Quill@crowder.edu or find the entry form with guidelines at www.CrowderQuill.wordpress.com.