Moraine Valley Grad's Written Work Receives National Recognition

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A Moraine Valley Community College student from Evergreen Park was recognized by the League for Innovation in the Community College for writing submitted to its 2019-20 International Student Literary Competition. The competition included 50 literary works from students at League board colleges, and only 12 awards were presented.

John Guinta, who graduated from Moraine Valley in the summer 2020 semester, won second place in the Poetry category for "Mojave Girl." His poem is about meeting and dating a girl.

Guinta was encouraged to enter the competition by their communication instructors.

Lisa Couch, instructor of communications and journalism, coordinated Moraine Valley's entries into the contest. She encourages any student to enter, but she reaches out to specific students she knows who writes fiction or poetry.

"I have found that to be a powerful tool not only to obtain more entries in the contest, but also to encourage students who often don't realize they are 'good enough' to enter.” Couch said. “I love to see the look on the face of a student who doesn't even think he or she is 'a writer' when I suggest they enter the contest. That vote of confidence in itself I think is really powerful.”

Guinta received a check for $200 and a certificate. His winning entry also were printed in the League's literary anthology.