Midland College awards $1,300 for Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry ContestApril 30, 2018

The annual Hilda Simmons Levitt contest—with $1,300 in prize money going to the top four winning poets—has been called one of the most prestigious in the state.  It was established in 1988 to honor the memory of Hilda Simmons Levitt by her husband Stanley.  The Levitt’s daughter, Carol Schwartz of Washington, D.C., continues to underwrite the contest. 

“We are so grateful to Mrs. Schwartz for her generous contribution and willingness to recognize the creative works of Midland College students,” said MC Department Chair of Technical Writing and Philosophy Brendan Egan who serves as contest coordinator.  “The contest inspires our students and encourages them to continue to write.” 

For many years, the Levitt family owned and managed a successful Midland clothing business on Florida Street.  From 1979 until her death in 1986, Mrs. Levitt took creative writing classes at Midland College.

Each year, Midland College English students submit poems for consideration for the contest.  This year’s contest judge was Karen Pape, former professor of English at Midland College. Pape’s original poetry has appeared in various small press publications and on-line journals.  Before beginning her teaching career, Pape was an MC student and won second place in the Hilda Simmons Levitt competition when she was attending MC.  She later earned a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Dulce Castaneda, wrote the winning poems, “My Accent, “My God” and “White Canvas.”  She received a $600 cash award.  Second place winner and recipient of a $400 cash prize was Donijah McMaryion for her poem “Live Like Jazz.”  Meagan McQuien received the third place award and $200 for “River Town.”  Fourth place winner and recipient of a $100 cash prize was awarded to Deverie Livsey for her poem “Dear Borderline.”  Honorable Mention recognition went to Alayna Garcia and Kaitlyn Garland.  The winning poems will be published in the Midland College Tableau magazine.

Pictured here from left to right are Dulce Castaneda (1st place winner), Donijah McMaryion (2nd place winner), Deverie Livsey (4th place winner) and Kaitlyn Garland (honorable mention).