ICC Foundation awards First Writing Scholarship

News Release
August 18, 2010
ICC Foundation awards First Writing Scholarship

Amanda Raef took the $500.00 prize in Independence Community College’s first Writing Scholarship Competition. Open to all ICC students, both full and part-time, the annual ICC Foundation scholarship was established in 2009 to encourage and reward excellent writing.

The topic for this inaugural completion was: Compare the Activism of the 1960’s and Today. “I thought it was an interesting topic to explore and write about,” said Raef, an English major. “I’m also a history major and the turbulence of the 60’s have always interested me from both a fiction and a non-fiction perspective.”

The competition required students to submit a 500 word essay in MLA format on the given topic. The entries were judged by Professor Matt Hoven and Professor Marsha Hayes.


First ICC Writing Award Finalists and Judges - Left to Right: Joe
Bryson, First Runner-Up, Amanda Raef, Award Winner, Professor
Marsha Hayes and Professor Matt Hoven, competition judges.

Flyers and e-mails encouraged students to vie for the $500 cash prize. “The first round of entries presented a problem,” reported Hoven. “Many lacked coherence and were filled with spelling errors, as well as a generally careless presentation.” After discussions with ICC Deans and staff, it was decided to re-open the competition. “We chose not to reward poor writing and set higher standards,” Hoven concluded.

The second set of essays showed a marked improvement, requiring a tie-breaking session between the top four. Several excellent essays were from Independence High School students taking ICC classes part-time.

“Writing is such an important part of good communication,” said Hayes of her interest in continuing the scholarship. “I think ICC is making strides in teaching, honoring, and rewarding good writing. The decision to hand a student $500 in cash shows our commitment to encouraging good thinking and good writing.”

First-time winner Raef has been invited to participate in the judging of the 2011 contest. The topic for the next scholarship will be: The Politics of Food in America.

Raef utilized her winning cash to help with expenses involved with her move to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin where she will pursue her ultimate goal to become a college English professor. With the financial burdens facing students today, Raef said of her award, “It was very, very much appreciated.”

Lori Shaw, ICC Foundation Director, explained that the scholarship was established through a generous gift and is designed as an annual competition award. “We are so happy to be a part of this opportunity for our ICC students,” said Shaw, “as it recognizes students in the area of writing. Exceptional writing skills can offer a student a lifetime of possibilities.”