Alexander Muse Unveils New Crop of Teen Talent

The 4th publication of The Alexander Muse teen art and literary magazine debuted on April 16, 2013 with yet another incredible mix of teen works. The event was held at the Taylorsville Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Talented teens Grace Williams, Peter Ippolito, Jared Webb, and Ghost Named Gertrude provided musical entertainment. Refreshments were provided by Alexander Friends of the Library.

1st prize, provided by Wal-Mart of Taylorsville, was a $25 gift card for Wal-Mart. First place winners by category were: Art (front cover of the magazine), “Reiterate” by Hunter Wiseman; Photography (back cover), “Nailed To The Cross” by Grace Williams; Prose, “The Chaos Called Prom” by Jessie Tallman and Kayla Lance; and Poetry, “The Lady of Shallot, Am I” by Taylor Barber.

2nd prize, provided by Alexander Friends of the Library, was a $15 gift certificate for Village Inn Pizza. Second place winners by category were: Art, “Butterfly Ship” by London Mooneyham; Photography, “Love Canoe” by Allison Hager; Prose, “Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Kira Call; and Poetry, “You, I Need” by Matthew Barger.

3rd prize, provided by Alexander Friends of the Library, was a $5 Subway gift card. Third place winners by category were: Art, “Mono Tree” by Karalee Fox ; Photography, “Lions” by Jesse Luffman; Prose, “The 10 Most Valuable Things A Kid Can Learn In High School” by Dalton Hatchett; and Poetry, “Ode a Bord d’un Avion” by Kristin Collins.

3 Honorable Mention spots were named per category: Art – “Wash By Marker” by Billy Lee, “Norman Lewis Replica” by Brandon Tellado, and “Struggle for Life” by Leng Yang; Photography – “Three Crosses” by Makala Byrd, “Storm Hawk” by Caleb Queen, and “Tree on Cell Phone” by Jeremiah Webb and Grace Williams; Prose – “A Stranger You Once Were” by Alexis Barnes, “Blank Sheet of Paper” by Sierra Shoffner, and “Grandma” by Hunter Trent; and Poetry – “A Trip Through El Centro” by Mia Blochaviak and Jessica Ferretiz, “Just Move On” by Crystal Price, and “Teen Angst” by Hunter Wiseman.

The Alexander Muse staff includes: Alexander Central High School English teacher, Beth Duncan; ACHS art teacher, Robbin Isenhour Stewart; and Alexander County Library children’s librarian, Melissa Hager.

The staff thanks all of the students who submitted works. They also wish to thank Alexander Friends of the Library; Wal-Mart of Taylorsville; Shannon and Brandy Childers; Taylorsville Presbyterian Church; the judges who determined the 2013 collection – Heather Friday, Judy Rider, Carol Turner, Bud Caywood, Kelly Demaegd, Doug McHargue, Nancy Posey, Anthony Rankine, Adrian Rice, Glenn Fox, James Labrenz, and Chad Ritchie; Stephen Gantert and Peter Ippolito for sound at the debut; Terry Graham; Muse assistants – Katrina Grant, Victoria Lackey, and Lexxie Monthony; The Taylorsville Times; Alexander County Schools; and Alexander County Government.

All magazine works will be on display at Alexander County Library through the summer. A free online edition of the magazine is available at www.thealexandermuse.blogspot.com.

The Alexander Muse is a collaborative effort of Alexander County Schools and Alexander County Library. The goal is to inspire creativity in the teens of Alexander County. The contest is open to all high school students from Alexander County regardless of educational institution.