About the Contest
While it’s wonderful to write a successful paper for a composition class, it’s an added benefit if you have the chance to share your work with a wider audience. In order to offer students that possibility, we created The Students' Guide for Foundations Writing Contest. This gives students in Foundations Writing courses, English 101A, 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, and 109H, a chance to showcase their best work, and winning selections are included in materials available to future students and writing teachers.
Categories for the contest include narrative, argumentative, analytical, research-based, multimodal, and reflective writing. Winning entries are chosen based on the essay’s effectiveness within its genre and rhetorical situation (see this full description of the categories and the scoring rubric for more details). The contests typically run over the course of the academic year, so students are invited to submit their best work from summer, fall, or spring at the end of the spring semester. The winners of the 2024-2025 Contest were selected from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 courses.
The writing contest is the perfect place to show off your hard work! Not only will you help fellow students, but you’ll have an enviable line on your résumé. Writing is a skill that serves your own growth and learning, but it is also a skill that future academic advisors and employers look for. We strongly encourage you to submit your work for the next Contest. We’ll look forward to reading and celebrating your best writing.
2024-2025 Winners
Narrative Writing
1st place: Haleigh Allred, “The Legendary Tale of Ms Noodle Arms”
Seth Slater’s English 109H class
My name is Haleigh Allred and I will be a sophomore at the University of Arizona. I am majoring in Veterinary Science and am about to declare my minor in Nutrition. I am originally from Southern California and am part of several clubs on campus including Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures (VIDA), the Collegiate Livestock Growers Association, and the UA Rambler's hiking club. My hobbies include painting, writing, and pretty much any outdoor activity. I am passionate about physical fitness and enjoy weightlifting, hiking, running, biking, horseback riding, and yoga.
2nd place: Joni Li, “Do You Speak Chinese?”
Sylvia Chan’s English 102 class
My name is Joni Li, and I am a second-year student studying Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology. In my narrative essay, I explored the challenges I faced living in China as an American-born Taiwanese high school student. I focused particularly on the language barrier, which made it difficult to connect with others and fully understand my heritage. Through my story, I hope to inspire students like myself to explore their cultural identity and take the chance to connect with those of the same cultural background.
3rd place (two winners tied for 3rd place):
Erika Medina, “My Isla Del Encanto”
Maureen McHugh’s English 101A class
My name is Erika Medina, and I am a first-year student at the University of Arizona. I am pursuing a degree in Applied Computing with a focus on AI. I currently live in Ocala, Florida, where I was born and raised. Even though I have lived in Florida my entire life, I am Puerto Rican, and growing up, I spent many summers on the island. These summer experiences are what helped inspire my essay. This essay is dedicated to my mother, who has always encouraged me to love my culture and embrace who I am.
3rd place (two winners tied for 3rd place):
“You and I and Thunderstorms” (anonymous)
Marianna ColesCurtis’s 109H class
Argumentative Writing
1st Place: Harini Arumugam Gandhimathi, “Importance of Physiology in the Sciences”
Mary Gray’s English 102 class
My name is Harini and I am a second year student at the University of Arizona and W.A. Franke Honors college majoring in Physiology and Medical sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. I was able to craft my first piece of writing by explaining the importance of Physiology in the sciences due to my experience as a student majoring in Physiology and understanding how Physiology is not truly recognized in the sciences and is just seen as a subsection of biology and medicine. So this made me want to express my opinion and concerns regarding how Physiology should be recognized as its own discipline in the sciences.
2nd Place: Molly Lenertz, “The Brutality of Bodybuilding”
Gertrude Walsh’s English 102 class
I’m Molly Lenertz, a sophomore majoring in Studio Art. I love writing, and was inspired by my mom to write this essay on the subculture of bodybuilding. While she's not a bodybuilder, she is a very strong woman who attends a crossfit gym most mornings, where she's befriended people with body building history. I myself am not a very physically strong person, so learning, hearing, and writing about a group of people that try to take those aesthetics to an extreme was really interesting. Getting a chance to speak to someone with lived experience helped to explain the mindset behind bodybuilding, and I’m very happy to have an opportunity to share this essay in this manner.
3rd Place: Mark Soukol, “The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Workforce”
Sharon Christian’s English 102 class
My name is Mark Soukol, a second-year Business Administration student with a passion in argumentative writing. I enjoy tackling complex topics and offering fresh perspectives. In my essay, The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Workforce, I explored the positive role AI can play in shaping the future of work. I look forward to continuing to grow as a writer and connecting business with innovation in meaningful ways.
Analytical Writing
1st Place: Sophia Howard, “Rhetorical Devices in the sermon ‘God Wants to Prosper Me’”
Lydia Paar’s English 101 course
My name is Sophia Howard, and I am a nursing student with a strong interest in faith, medicine, and how words shape belief. I wrote this essay during my time at the University of Arizona after being deeply impacted by a sermon at Pantano Christian Church. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my dog, touring National Parks, and finding new ways to encourage others.
2nd Place: Annabelle Levins, “Worker Exploitation in Alien”
Eli Turner’s English 109H class
My name is Annabelle Levins, and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Organismal biology. Outside of my studies, I volunteer as an agent for the Arizona Raptor Center and serve on the board of directors for the Arizona Falconer’s Association. I enjoy reading and writing, and am honored to have my essay featured on the website.
3rd Place: Yuliia Vyskrebenets, “Gatekeeping Practices of the Blue Chip Leadership Experience at the University of Arizona”
Kristen Hoggatt-Abader’s English 107 class
My name is Yuliia Vyskrebenets. I’m honored to have taken 3rd place in the 2025 Foundations Writing Program’s Student Essay Contest. Writing has always been a meaningful way for me to express my thoughts and experiences. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my voice and connect with others.
Research-Based Writing
1st Place: Deeanna Foster, “Scientific Advancement or Ethical Foul: The Applications and Concerns of Genetic Modification”
Lauren Kilpatrick’s English 102 class
I’m Deeanna Foster, a sophomore majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical Science and minoring in Leadership Studies and Practices. I’m originally from New Mexico, but I’ve also loved Arizona and everything the University of Arizona has offered so far. I truly enjoy science and its interaction with humanity and life, which is why I chose to research genetic modification and how its applications can impact us – both positively and negatively. The opportunity to research this topic and speak with professionals in the field here at UA was incredible. I hope to draw my peers’ attention to the complexity, current and forthcoming development, and powerful impact of this technology.
2nd Place: Kaiden Vienneau, “Signs of Life Beneath the Ice: Exploring Enceladus' Habitability”
Maya Bernstein-Schalet’s English 102 class
My name is Kaiden Vienneau and I am a first year student at the University of Arizona majoring in Aerospace Engineering. I call Sammamish, Washington, my home. I am deeply interested in everything space related, with a strong focus on exoplanets and moons. I love researching the possibilities of habitability on planets near and far, and what that could look like. Outside of my studies, I enjoy fishing and backpacking.
3rd Place: Natalia Hendrickson, “Playing Genesis: The Promise and Peril of Lab-Grown Gametes”
Lucas Keeling’s English 102 class
My name is Natalia Hendrickson and I am a rising junior at the University of Arizona, majoring in Biology with Biomedical Emphasis. I am from Somerton, Arizona but have lived in three continents, six countries, and three states. This essay reflects my interests in medicine, speculative fiction, and writing. I hope to apply what I learn to an impactful career as a psychiatrist and one day publish a graphic novel.
Mulitmodal Writing
1st Place: Veronica Contreras, “Skin Bioprinting: The Future of Regenerative Medicine”
Sara Leila’s English 102 class
2nd Place: Lexi Wittwer, “CRISPR-Cas9 at its Best: A Helpful, Not Hurtful, Tool of Science”
Margaree Little’s English 102 class
My name is Lexi Wittwer, and I am a second year student at the University of Arizona studying biochemistry. I am from Vail, Arizona, a little dot on the map just below Tucson. I have a love for the sciences in general and have always had a fascination with medical and bio-technical advancements, hence my research done on CRISPR-Cas9 technology. I hope that my website/presentation of CRISPR technology helps people to see the power and safety of the future of medicine as well as the amazing progress that scientists around the world are making each year.
3rd Place: Noah Riego, “The Significance of Culture to a Successful Soundtrack: A Comparative Musicological Study”
Matthew Erickson’s English 101 course
My name is Noah, and I am a sophomore at the W.A. Franke Honors College. I am also an international student originally from the Philippines, currently majoring in Applied Physics with a minor in Data Science. I love analyzing and writing about media in general, especially music and shows. I don't have any specific preferences, I'll watch and listen to anything and everything, just as long as it has a solid amount of thought put into it.
Reflective Writing
1st Place: Natalie Encinas Duran, “English 102 Portfolio”
Melani Martinez’s English 101 class
My name is Natalie Encinas Duran, and I am currently studying Accounting. I am a proud Mexican American from Buckeye, Arizona, and my strong connection to my culture—especially through frequent visits to my mom’s hometown of Cumpas, Sonora—deeply influences my identity and inspires much of my writing. These lived experiences have shaped my perspective on the world and influenced how I express myself creatively. Outside of my studies, I enjoy baking, listening to music, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with friends.
2nd Place: Ashlee Morales, “Creations Of A Rewritten Story”
David Seamans’ English 101 class
My name is Ashlee Morales, a Freshman majoring in Biology at the University of Arizona, studying to hopefully gain a career in the medical world. I am honored to have received the placement I did for my portfolio. Writing is something that means a lot to me so being able to have my work featured is an incredible opportunity.
3rd Place: Harini Arumugam Gandhimathi, “English 102 Portfolio”
Mary Gray’s English 102 class
My name is Harini and I am a second year student at the University of Arizona and W.A. Franke Honors college majoring in Physiology and Medical sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. My second piece of writing with the English 102 portfolio stemmed from my class activities and my interest in writing so it encased many types of writing including narrative, rhetorical and argumentative writing. The portfolio truly allowed me to reflect on my writing process for many of the pieces that I crafted during English 102 which I truly enjoyed.