Honorable Mentions

The following three essays were selected as notable entries in the final round of The Writing Center’s seventh annual Personal Essay Contest. We enjoyed the authors' use of vivid details and a clear, strong voice. These authors portrayed important issues and difficult challenges with candor and vulnerability. Accompanying art is by PVCC students.

Sneaky by Kai King; artwork depicts a half-opened tin of sardines with a small black cat between two of the fish

Fish for Dinner

Rebecca Espinosa

Birds by Sandra Schwartz; artwork depicts four birds flying over a yellow background

From Kabul to Virginia

Nazir Musawer

Halloween Girl with Bat by Maggie Davis; image depicts a young girl holding a bat on a leash, with a cross dangling from the same arm, next to a Jack-o'-lantern

Tiny Town

Eliana Wilson

Artwork by PVCC students: Sneaky by Kai King (2026); Birds by Sandra Schwartz (2023); Halloween Girl with Bat by Maggie Davis (2026) (artwork from 2026 and 2023 PVCC Student Art Exhibition).

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