The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization has completed judging for this year’s Glory of the Senses: Paul Engle Essay Contest, and will award scholarships to six high school students from across Iowa.
The winning essay was “Our Secret Beach,” by Rhea Swanston, who will be a junior at Iowa City High School. In recognition of her essay, Rhea will receive one year of free tuition to the University of Iowa, offered in partnership with the UI.
The essays were judged by a team from ACT in Iowa City. Commenting on Rhea’s essay, the judges said it effectively transports the reader to a girl’s unending COVID-19 summer and the welcome escape that comes when she and her sister discover a magical “beach” along a creek in a woodsy Iowa park.
“Rhea uses vivid imagery, strong dialogue, and rich characterizations to explore themes of connection and isolation,” the judges said. “The essay celebrates nature and play, focusing on the sensory details of small, formative experiences — “We walked around [that little basin] barefoot, our toes sinking in the clay sand, kicking behind us a swirling cloud of sediment.”
The contest is based on the writings of Paul Engle – the long-time director of the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop and co-founder of the UI’s International Writing Program – particularly his memoir, A Lucky American Childhood. Students are asked to write about an Iowa experience, paying “special attention to include details that evoke the sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch of your memory.”
Five runners up from around the state will receive $500 cash scholarships from the City of Literature. The runners up are:
Sadie Voigt, Morning Star Academy (Bluegrass/Bettendorf)
Sydney Schwindt, Iowa City High School
Alexander Kerper, Beckman Catholic High School
Alexandria Palmer, Spencer High School
Andrea Elena Saldana-Valdez, Des Moines Public School Virtual Campus
The contest is designed to recognize sophomores from each of Iowa’s nine Area Education Agencies, which cover the state. Due to a lack of submissions, not all AEAs were represented.
Information about the 2025 contest is now available. Please visit the City of Literature website at www.iowacityofliterature.org/paul-engle-day for more information and submission guidelines. The deadline is May 23, 2025.