Enroll in Summer/Fall 26 today!
See academic calendar

All News

Crowder Quill 45th anniversary awards magazine published

  • May 14, 2026

    For Immediate Release
    Office of Public Information
    Crowder College

    Crowder Quill 45th anniversary awards magazine published

    Neosho, MO – The winners of the 45th anniversary contest for the Crowder Quill literary-art magazine of Crowder College have been announced and published. 

    For the 2025-26 contest, 919 entries were received, and 130 entries were awarded and published from 97 individuals in the categories of writing, photography, and art. The Crowder Quill was mailed to winning entrants, and the magazine is available at Crowder College campuses and in the community.

    A digital copy of the Crowder Quill is available at www.CrowderQuill.com, as well as information about how to enter next year’s contest, which is already open. Updates are provided on Facebook and Instagram as digital media marketing students practice and provide digital and social media content.

    Begun in 1980, the Quill is published each spring; the contest deadline is Feb. 1 each year, and divisions are high school, Crowder, and the community within 100 miles of any Crowder campus. 

    The magazine was produced in the Digital Marketing Applied Graphics course by the following students: Anika Adame, Joplin; Caitlin Cook, Stella; Jessi Hilton, Goodman; Julie Hilton, Goodman; Maddi Idell, Pineville; Aubrey Knachtal, Purdy; Megan Lawson, Neosho; Heather Maassen, Seneca; Damien Pauley, Carthage; Keira Yenzer, Joplin; and Latonia Bailey, Neosho, Adviser.

    All published entrants receive a certificate for gold, silver, bronze or honorable mention, as listed below. $500 scholarships are awarded to the high school gold winners for each category in the Crowder Quill literary/art contest. The one-time scholarship is for the top high school winner in each category: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography, digital art, 2D art, and 3D art for the 2026 contest.

    The Crowder Quill is a free literary/art magazine published at Crowder College in order to encourage and showcase the creative abilities of local writers, artists, and photographers, as well as provide a cultural link between Crowder College and our surrounding communities.

    As the course that produces the Quill transitions into the Career and Creative Writing certificate at Crowder beginning fall 2026, 2D and 3D Art categories will be discontinued in order to align with curriculum, create more space for writing, and encourage digital visual art participation. Artists working in traditional 2D and 3D media are encouraged to participate in the Digital Art category by adapting their work and expanding their creative skillsets. For more details, see the article “Contest Opens with Altered Categories” on the CrowderQuill.com website.

    Beginning with the 2026-27 contest cycle, which is now open, the categories for the Quill are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, color photography, B&W photography, and digital art, which is computer-generated or digitally altered art as well as extensively altered photography for special effects.

    This transition ensures the continued publication of the Crowder Quill. Relocating the course to a new program has allowed the magazine to continue its 45-year tradition of encouraging and celebrating creativity within the college and surrounding community.

    For more information, contact the program coordinator/instructor: LatoniaBailey@Crowder.edu.

    ### 

    Photo attached is the cover art “Vovo’” by Eduardo Maria Pissarra da Costa Salema of Portugal, a student at Carl Junction High School who won gold in the 2D Art category. Additional art is available on the website.

    FirstLast nameCategoryCity/TownDivisionHigh SchoolAwardTitle 
    LidiaAlejo2D ArtAndersonHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyHonorable MentionLa Birria 
    LidiaAlejoNonfictionAndersonHigh SchoolMcDonald CountySilverI Believe Culture Is an Important Part in Our Life 
    GraceAllisonB&W PhotographyAndersonHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyBronzeGrand Teton National Park 
    TiffanyBlevins3D ArtAndersonCommunityHonorable MentionLike a Greek God 
    TiffanyBlevinsDigital ArtAndersonCommunityHonorable MentionSleeping in the City 
    JournieDanielsNonfictionAndersonHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyBronzeRapid Deluge: The Flash Flood 
    JournieDanielsDigital ArtAndersonHigh SchoolMcDonald CountySilverIridescent Bubble 
    SteveWilsonB&W PhotographyAndersonCommunityBronzeMine 
    SierraWilsonColor PhotographyAndersonCommunitySilverPier into the Ocean 
    RaegenPhelpsFictionAuroraHigh SchoolAuroraGoldAmbition’s End  
    MollyCameron2D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionBronzeOne Man’s Trash 
    MollyCameron3D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionKalos’astra 
    LydiaChurchillFictionCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionSilverOnce and Forever, Peace 
    KadenEidem3D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionFish out of Water 
    MaristelaLacour2D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionShared Horizon 
    MaristelaLacourColor PhotographyCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionBelle Vue 
    BrookePopeColor PhotographyCarl JunctionCrowderHonorable MentionBogeys and Birdies 
    DecemberWilley2D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionPawp 
    AubreeAnderson3D ArtCarl JunctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionHonorable MentionSweet Treat 
    EduardoSalema2D ArtCarl junctionHigh SchoolCarl JunctionGoldVovó 
    MelanieChutaColor PhotographyCarthageCrowderGoldEchoes of the Ozarks 
    ValeFloresDigital ArtCarthageCrowderBronze“Not My Name” 
    DamienPauleyDigital ArtCarthageStaffStaffFlight of Fortresses 
    JahneePresley2D ArtCarthageCrowderSilverCow Skull 
    QuinlanRobertsPoetryCassvilleCrowderGoldDead Man Band 
    GarretAkinPoetryCassvilleCommunityGoldThe Tale of Cillian O’Clery 
    AubreeChisamColor PhotographyCraneCommunityHonorable MentionBarber Shop Moments 
    AubreeChisamDigital ArtCraneCommunitySilverMatmos 
    CaliWooldridgeB&W PhotographyEl Dorado SpringsCrowderBronzeRing Ring 
    AngelaCarterColor PhotographyFairviewCrowderSilverA Northern Sky 
    HollyVogelpohlB&W PhotographyFairviewCrowderGoldSpecter of the Sea 
    BryceHallNonfictionGoodmanCrowderGoldThe Epic Showdown 
    PaulHilton3D ArtGoodmanCommunitySilverKnife Handle 
    JessiHilton2D ArtGoodmanStaffStaffOcean Oil Painting 
    JessiHilton3D ArtGoodmanStaffStaffNatural Object: Shell 
    JessiHiltonColor PhotographyGoodmanStaffStaffCrowder After Dark 
    JessiHiltonFictionGoodmanStaffStaffRunning Toward Tomorrow 
    JessiHiltonNonfictionGoodmanStaffStaffHow It Feels To Be Seen 
    JessiHiltonPoetryGoodmanStaffStaffWhen the Sun Hides 
    JulieHilton2D ArtGoodmanStaffStaffFall Reflections 
    JulieHiltonB&W PhotographyGoodmanStaffStaffExpecto Patronum 
    JulieHiltonColor PhotographyGoodmanStaffStaffCape May Winter 
    JulieHiltonDigital ArtGoodmanStaffStaffHarry Potter & The Cat, Owl, and Train 
    JulieHiltonNonfictionGoodmanStaffStaffThe Cousins 
    JulieHiltonPoetryGoodmanStaffStaffMisnamed Semester 
    BuckOwenPoetryGoodmanCommunityBronzeWildflowers Don’t Care Where They Grow 
    SaydeeWheelerFictionGoodmanCrowderGoldUbi Amor, Ibi Vita 
    DawnKimmel2D ArtGranbyCommunitySilverSunken Splendor 
    JolisaMoua2D ArtGranbyCrowderGoldBlind Faith 
    EllieAllgood2D ArtJaneHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyHonorable MentionReminiscence 
    AnikaAdame2D ArtJoplinStaffStaffMammoth 
    AnikaAdameB&W PhotographyJoplinStaffStaffThe Tree Changes Too 
    AnikaAdameDigital ArtJoplinStaffStaffCRT Dreams 
    SophiaAnderson2D ArtJoplinCrowderBronzeDozing of the Trees 
    SophiaAndersonNonfictionJoplinCrowderSilverIt’s In Here 
    DouglasBrownNonfictionJoplinCrowderBronzeRite of Passage 
    JulieCatlett2D ArtJoplinCommunityBronzeSepia Dreams 
    AmberDavidsonColor PhotographyJoplinCommunityHonorable MentionBurano 
    LolaFontanaDigital ArtJoplinCrowderSilverBe Gentle 
    BrooklynnMcGeheePoetryJoplinHigh SchoolCarl JunctionSilverI’m Sorry I’m Not Your Perfect Art Project 
    NellieMitchell3D ArtJoplinCommunityBronzeSandworm 
    MckenzieSarakinisNonfictionJoplinCommunityBronzeHow Our Environment Affects Our Culture and Vice Versa 
    BrinnSchnelle3D ArtJoplinCommunityHonorable MentionTea Time 
    Billie HolladaySkelleyPoetryJoplinCommunityHonorable MentionAvian Imposter 
    Billie HolladaySkelleyFictionJoplinCommunitySilverWinds of Change 
    Billie HolladaySkelleyNonfictionJoplinCommunitySilverAll Together Now: Murmurations 
    LoganWeaverColor PhotographyJoplinHigh SchoolCarl JunctionGoldMountain Lake Trail 
    KeiraYenzerNonfictionJoplinStaffStaffMemoir or Momoir 
    KeiraYenzerPoetryJoplinStaffStaffBanksy 
    KellyReddinFictionJoplinCommunityGoldThe Mirror 
    KellyReddinNonfictionJoplinCommunityHonorable MentionBeing Nana Claus 
    KeelyTaffner3D ArtLamarHigh SchoolLamarBronzeA Day at the Beach 
    RonaldSmithFictionLoma LindaCommunityBronzeGriffin Greenfeld’s Final Message 
    RitaJohnsonPoetryMarionville MissouriHigh SchoolMarionvilleGoldZombies 
    MagdalynLindsey3D ArtMonettCrowderGoldGirl’s Best Friend 
    MagdalynLindsey2D ArtMonettCrowderHonorable MentionGood Grief 
    AlyMassardoFictionMonettCommunityHonorable MentionCandlelight 
    MandieAdamsColor PhotographyMount VernonCommunityBronzeA Century Crowned 
    HaleyKreighbaumPoetryNeck CityHigh SchoolWebb CityHonorable MentionThe Comeback 
    MarcyAbercrombieB&W PhotographyNeoshoCommunityGoldSpider Waiting at Entrance of Its Funnel Web 
    LatoniaBaileyB&W PhotographyNeoshoStaffStaffBeach Love 
    LatoniaBaileyColor PhotographyNeoshoStaffStaffLower Antelope Canyon 
    LatoniaBaileyDigital ArtNeoshoStaffStaffFerris Sketch 
    SelahBridgesNonfictionNeoshoCrowderHonorable MentionDreams Do Come True 
    SamanthaCaffertyPoetryNeoshoCrowderBronzeConfetti Theory 
    SamanthaCaffertyFictionNeoshoCrowderHonorable MentionUnrescued 
    VenitaHenson3D ArtNeoshoCommunityGoldThe Winged Fox 
    VenitaHensonFictionNeoshoCrowderSilverHome Is Where My Heart Is 
    ReginaHightowerColor PhotographyNeoshoCrowderBronzeButterfly 
    CassandraJordanNonfictionNeoshoCommunitySpecial MeritDo You Dare 
    MeganLawsonFictionNeoshoStaffStaffFood Tastes Stronger When You’re Hungry 
    TerrinMcilvainePoetryNeoshoCommunitySilverLord of Cinders 
    Michael KMoore2D ArtNeoshoCommunityGoldRiver Crossing 
    MaisieWeston3D ArtNeoshoCrowderSilverRed Squiggle Tea Set 
    LoganBartonDigital ArtNoelHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyGoldAgua Cristalina 
    JamieBillingsDigital ArtNoelCommunityBronzeWhat’s the Tea? 
    JaxHarrisB&W PhotographynoelHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyHonorable MentionSwish 
    LeahStephens3D ArtNoelHigh SchoolMcDonald CountySilverSwirling Sky 
    MaggieMarionColor PhotographyPierce CityHigh SchoolEast Newton High SchoolBronzeTools of the Land 
    BrileyDavisFictionPinevilleHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyHonorable MentionThe Knocking in the Wall 
    PeytonHolidayFictionPinevilleHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyBronzeDragons Blight 
    MaddilynnIdell2D ArtPinevilleStaffStaffGeneral Chicken 
    MaddilynnIdell3D ArtPinevilleStaffStaffKita the Kitsune 
    MaddilynnIdellColor PhotographyPinevilleStaffStaffGolden Hour 
    DominickTrimbleNonfictionPinevilleHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyGoldJenny 
    DavidZachariasDigital ArtPittsburg, KSCommunityGoldDevil’s Tower Moon 
    DavidZachariasB&W PhotographyPittsburg, KSCommunityHonorable MentionMoab Bluff 1 
    JaydenMustainColor PhotographyPowellHigh SchoolMcDonald CountySilverThe Ones Who Watch Over 
    AubreyKnatcalDigital ArtPurdyStaffStaffFortune Plant 
    LeannaMoore3D ArtPurdyCrowderBronzeNature’s Inner Twines 
    HannahTownePoetryRich HillCrowderSilverNot Spoken 
    EdenRayPoetrySarcoxieHigh SchoolSarcoxieHonorable MentionSuffocation 
    LexiBurlingameFictionScammon, KSCrowderBronzeA Haunted Family 
    LuapMcKeever2D ArtSeligmanCommunityHonorable MentionFoggy Mountain 
    ChayceBowmanB&W PhotographySenecaHigh SchoolMcDonald CountyGoldClassic Muscle 
    HeatherMaassenNonfictionSenecaStaffStaffPain and Profit 
    M.E.RoweNonfictionSenecaCommunityGoldTwenty-six Letters 
    CaitlynBonass3D ArtShell KnobHigh SchoolCassville High SchoolGoldFrom the Ashes 
    JonathanMartinezB&W PhotographySouthwest CityHigh SchoolMcDonald CountySilverLazy Daisy 
    KadiceyWellsB&W PhotographyStark CityCrowderSilverGrace in Stillness 
    CaitlinCookB&W PhotographyStellaStaffStaffSilhouette 
    CaitlinCookColor PhotographyStellaStaffStaffStrings 
    StacyKernColor PhotographyStotts CityCommunityGoldDragonfly, Oklahoma 
    StacyKernB&W PhotographyStotts CityCommunityHonorable MentionBehind the Chutes 
    DanielGravesB&W PhotographyWebb CityCommunitySilverSpine Black Mountain 
    CheyenneHillDigital ArtWebb CityCrowderGoldPorcelain Doll 
    ElizabethRhuems2D ArtWebb CityHigh SchoolWebb CitySilverA Late Summer Bloom 
    HanaScerbejovaPoetryWebb CityHigh SchoolWebb CityBronzeUnfamiliar 
    HopeShinnPoetryWebb CityHigh SchoolWebb CityHonorable MentionThe Living Truth, The Present 
    DixiStrawPoetryWebb CityCrowderHonorable MentionNature in My Home!