RWC’s Songwriting Contest, a central event of RWC’s celebration of National Poetry Month for the past four years, has come to an end this year, and the winners have been selected. The contest, which was open to high school, home school, and college students throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, received the largest amount of submissions to date, with 16 entrants and 39 songs. Contestants were permitted to submit up to three songs each.
According to English Professor Rhonda Pettit, “Submissions came from several high schools and home schools, as well as RWC, UC Uptown, Thomas More College, Northern Kentucky University, and Gateway Community College.”
First place goes to Brittany Gillstrap who is a home school student in Glencoe, Kentucky. She submitted two songs entitled “Cloud 9” and “Wonderland.” She has first choice of either recording studio time at Willis Music or a Sequoia acoustic guitar and gig bag, provided by Willis Music.
Second place goes to Matt Shonkwiler, from Greenfield McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio. He submitted a song entitled “Padded Room.” The prize remaining after Brittany Gillstrap’s choice will be given to him.
The winners will be formally introduced at the Poetry Café on May 3, 6-8 p.m. in Room 100 of the Science & Allied Health Building.
Each of the winners is invited to attend the Poetry Café and to perform their winning songs. The Poetry Café is a free event and is open to all RWC students, faculty, and staff as well as the general public.
It will feature E. Charlton-Trujillo, award-winning author of “Prizefighter en Mi Casa” and “Feels Like Home.” Readings from the 11th Annual Poetry Contest and songs from the 4th Annual Songwriting Contest will also be a part of this event.
Free food and music are also planned.