April 4, 2025

Two students on East Mississippi Community College’s Scooba campus are among the winners in the 2024-25 Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association’s (MCCCWA) Annual Workshop and Contest.

Alexandra “Alex” Shiles earned first place for her literary analysis titled "Ethics VS Morals,” while Isabella Temple won second place for her essay titled, “Immersed in Reading.” Both students are sophomores who will graduate in May.

“Alex and Bella are exceptional writers and students,” said English and Education instructor/Humanities and Fine Arts Division Chairperson DeLisa Brand, who has taught both students. “They recognize the importance of education and the power of effective communication. I think they share their greatest strength: being good people. They are genuinely interested in improving their communities and making a positive difference. They are doing their part. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to teach them.”

Each year, the competition is open to students attending any Mississippi community or junior college. Competition categories include Creative Nonfiction, Dramatic Writing, Essay, Poetry, Short Story and Literary Magazine.

Shiles plays trumpet for EMCC’s Mighty Lion Band, is active in the art club on the Scooba campus and serves as a student housing residential assistant. A native of Omak, Washington, she has resided in Louisville with her family since the end of sixth grade. Last year, Shiles was named the Outstanding Syzygy Ceramics Student during the Scooba campus’ annual Awards Day.

After graduating from EMCC, she plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi to major in Special Education with a minor in Art.

“I want to work with younger students and bring more art into the classrooms as a type of therapy,” Shiles said.

A voracious reader from a young age, Shiles said she first started writing in second grade. This was her first time entering a writing contest.

“I’m still a little shellshocked about winning,” she said.

In her winning essay, Shiles uses symbolism to explore the distinction between ethics and morals in Susan Glaspell’s play “Trifles,” Zora Neale Hurston’s short story “Sweat” and Kate Chopin’s short story titled “The Storm.”

“I chose to use symbolism because I really enjoy looking down into the pieces deeper and figuring out what could mean this or what could mean that,” Shiles said. “It is basically about how symbolism portrays the ethics and morals in each piece.”

Temple is the co-president of the Scooba chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, vice president of the Scooba Student Government Association and the captain of the Mighty Lion Band’s Color Guard. She is also a student ambassador, a resident assistant, a peer mentor and a member of the choir and theater.

Last year, she was named the Outstanding Freshman Color Guard member during Awards Day. In March, she was among four EMCC students named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic Team.

Temple, who is Meridian resident, plans to attend Mississippi State University after graduating from EMCC to major in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

Temple’s winning essay in the MCCCWA contest was about her love of reading.

“I love all different types of literary devices in reading,” Temple said. “I feel like it really opens the books and makes whatever you are reading seem more real.”

Temple, who was first introduced to writing while in high school, said she gravitates towards writing that is based on her personal experiences.

“Even in the literary essay I wrote, I put more of my own feelings in it,” she said. “I like relating things.”

Both Shiles and Temple will attend the MCCWA’s 45^th Annual Workshop and Awards Luncheon on April 11 in Natchez where winners from throughout the state will be recognized.