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Writing winners were honored at the ������Ƶ English Department Awards Ceremony on April 15, 2026. The Writing Program presented each winning student with a certificate for excellence in the College Writing category from across all eight campuses. Perryman Awards were selected from among all seven of ������Ƶ State’s regional campuses.

These award winners were the students of four Geauga/TAC faculty members: Assistant Professor of English Sorina Ailiesei, Professor of University Libraries Mary Hricko, Senior Lecturer of English Mahli Mechenbier, and Associate Professor of English Bonnie Shaker.

JOHN C. TAMPLIN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING CENTER WORK: AIDEN PHO
Before focusing on the 2026 student writing winners and their instructors, a special mention goes to writing consultant Aiden Pho.
This year, Aiden won the John C. Tamplin Award for Excellence in Writing Center Work in his role as a writing consultant (essentially a writing tutor). One of Aiden’s nominators was English faculty member Professor Mechenbier.

“As a preponderantly ������Ƶ Campus student, Aiden is an example of how regional campus faculty advance the interests of students across all ������Ƶ State campuses,” states Dr. Shaker.

Aiden has a history of excellence with the Geauga Campus. In 2024, he took second place in the Dubois Critical Writing Award for his paper on Kate Chopin’s The Awakening from Dr. Shaker’s online Introduction to Literary Study course. Dr. Shaker adds that Aiden stands among the most original and sensitive readers she has ever taught. “In his use of language, Aiden sculpts meaning with the same artistic effect as the work he is discussing. And in his ability to freshly contextualize fiction in its own time and in ours, he is unsurpassed.”

Dr. Shaker is retiring at the close of the 2025-2026 academic year. Four of Dr. Shaker’s students were 2026 writing award winners, including Jean-Marie Morris-Barrie, Jada Roquemore-Bogan, Ethan Hart, and Mariska Ropog. “These composition students are the last I will have had the joy of teaching,” says Dr. Shaker.

Since joining the Geauga faculty in 2015, 41 of Dr. Shaker’s students have earned writing awards from the English Department. She adds, “I am indebted to the Writing Program and Undergraduate Studies Committees over the years for their work toward instilling confidence in students by rewarding their writing.”

1ST PLACE: JEAN-MARIE MORRIS-BARRIE 
“The Myth of Racial Superiority” 
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Shaker (TAC) 
Course: College Writing
Assignment: Argumentative Research Essay

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Jean-Marie and I conferenced over a draft of his essay before he submitted it for a grade. When, after our discussion, he asked me if 
his essay was any good, I replied: “It’s so good, I’m going to nominate it for the College Writing contest!”

Because Jean-Marie had lived the experience of his topic, he was passionately invested in the research and could talk about it in detail. In his essay, he included a perfect balance of peer-reviewed scholarly articles and pop culture sources, deploying the latter at strategic junctures to humanize the statistics.

Good papers don’t just pop out of students’ heads; they are the result of sustained, semester-long reading, in-class attention, and timely completion of scaffolded work. Jean-Marie was a continuously engaged, interested student throughout the semester, and his efforts paid off. His paper is one of the finest student argumentative essays I have had the pleasure of reading in all my years of teaching!

From Pepper Pike, Jean-Marie graduated from Orange High School in 2025. He just completed his freshman year at ������Ƶ State Geauga. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising. He plans to scale his clothing brand to a high-level fashion house.

JEAN-MARIE’S PERSPECTIVE:
In my essay, I looked into the stereotypes of Black success in sports and the social impact it carries. The idea originated during a class exercise where we were asked to list common misconceptions. At first, the idea of Black people jumping higher was a laugh between me and my friend. But as I reflected further, I realized that this stereotype ties into a much deeper and complex narrative that I have experienced myself. 

Attending a regional campus has provided the advantage of smaller class sizes, which allows for more direct interaction between students and professors. The environment has made a significant difference in my writing development. The structure of a regional campus makes resources centralized in one location, making it easier to get help and meet with professors. This creates a comfortable and supportive learning experience.  

During the process of writing my essay, Dr. Shaker was incredibly supportive and consistently available to provide guidance and feedback. Her encouragement and detailed feedback not only improved the quality of my paper but also gave me confidence in my writing abilities. Without their support, I would not have achieved the same level of success or felt confident in my work.

1ST PLACE PERRYMAN: JADA ROQUEMORE-BOGAN 
“Oh How I Miss You Maalik” 
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Shaker (TAC) 
Course: College Writing
Assignment: Memoir

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Jada’s essay stood out to me immediately for its unique, singular voice and honed art of storytelling. Her paper made me think of the many American writers who have credited their style to growing up in a family of oral storytellers, a background I share and understand!

Her memoir is exceedingly generous. There is tragedy in her story, but never blame. While readers see, feel, and understand events through her eyes, they are never asked to judge.

Jada’s hometown is Lyndhurst. She graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, Class of 2025. She has one more semester to go at TAC before starting her training to become a respiratory therapist. Jada’s goal is to work hard and live comfortably. 
JADA’S PERSPECTIVE:
This essay was written in one of my favorite courses. Dr. Shaker assigned us a wide range of topics to choose from and write about. I chose this specific topic, to write about someone from your past. And that's when the idea came to mind to write about my cousin.

One of the characteristics that helped me win the award was my ability to organize my thoughts and form them into a meaningful story. And being able to end it with awareness for mental health was a big thing.

The advantages I had while forming this essay was a phenomenal professor who saw talent that I didn't recognize. Dr. Shaker pushed me to be better in writing. When I was lost and didn’t know where to start or what to specifically say, she helped me get right back on track. When I struggled to take my thoughts and form the right sentence, she was there. And I thank her greatly.

Earning this award did reshape my goals a little bit. It motivated me to keep going and be open-minded to things I'm not used to. I never thought I was a good writer until I was shown, and somebody believed in me.

2ND PLACE PERRYMAN: ETHAN HART 
“Secondhand Smoke” 
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Shaker (TAC) 
Course: College Writing
Assignment: Memoir

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Ethan has that rare gift of being able to write about life from up close and at a distance. He is both an objective, detailed chronicler of events and an insightful analyst of their significance.

Although a CCP student, Ethan was a class leader. He took risks in his writing and in class discussion. He was willing to persist through frustration, something every good writer must learn to do. He earned his success, and he deserves to feel proud of his accomplishment. I certainly am proud of him!

Ethan lives in Streetsboro and expects to graduate from Streetsboro High School in 2027. He is getting a head start on his college coursework through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. Ethan plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering to work as a designer in different fields after earning his college degree.

ETHAN’S PERSPECTIVE:
The essay details what my life was like growing up in a household with my mom and the effects it had on my life later on. I was inspired to write this essay after responding to a prompt about an event that changed me, and I immediately thought of my childhood.

Instead of taking online classes or large lecture classes at the main ������Ƶ Campus, I was able to create a strong connection with my professor, and I felt that my writing improved drastically because of this. Dr. Shaker is, singlehandedly, the most influential figure I've ever had in relation to my writing, and her teaching style provides students with an environment that is free of bias, making way for plenty of support to be offered.

After being nominated for the Perryman Essay Award, it helped me realize my strong traits academically. The award gave me something to be proud of, and I'm extremely grateful for being given the opportunity.  

3RD PLACE PERRYMAN: 
“Hopes and Dreams” 
Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Shaker (TAC) 
Course: College Writing 
Assignment: Memoir
 
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Mariska’s paper is distinguished by its authenticity. Her experiences are believable because she uses no conceit or feint—only pure, transparent language and solid techniques to show rather than tell readers of her past.

Mariska already had strong command of grammar and mechanics upon entering the course, which put her in an ideal position to grasp the more advanced elements of writing, such as paragraphing and timing.

She credibly built drama in her essay, mastering the power of the simple sentence to deliver a punch so that her dénouement provided welcome, instead of underwhelming, resolution. She wrote a beautifully moving essay.

Mariska grew up in Stow and graduated from Stow Munroe Falls High School in 2025. She just completed her freshman academic year at TAC. A finance major, she is now studying at the ������Ƶ Campus. Her goal is to start a career in financial advising and eventually become an entrepreneur.

MARISKA’S PERSPECTIVE:
The topic of “Hopes and Dreams” goes into a challenging time during my high school years, when I dealt with difficult mentors and peers. My essay focuses on how I learned to manage those challenges while also trying to keep the love I have for my sport. 

Starting college at a regional campus gave me the transition I needed to become a successful student. I was worried that jumping right into giant lecture halls with hundreds of students would be too big a change for me. Dr. Shaker was one of the professors who helped me with that transition. She had a strict course outline, which helped to give the structure that a traditional college course requires. While the course outline was standard, her way of teaching made all the difference. Her class taught me to stray from the cookie-cutter styled writing that is engraved into our brains throughout grade school. I learned how to find my own writing style and to think outside of the box when it came to writing college-level papers. Without her help and guidance through my first semester, I’m not sure I would have the writing skills that I do today. 

I believe that my vocabulary and storytelling skills played a role in my placement. Winning 3rd place for this award has given me a lot of confidence in myself as a writer. We don’t often see a correlation between business majors and writing because it’s sometimes deemed “unimportant” for our profession, but writing is a critical tool in any work environment. Being a good writer takes time and practice, but it is a necessary and useful skill to have.

1ST PLACE RESEARCH WRITING: PEYTON DUFFLEY 
“The Legacy of the Universal Monsters” 
Instructor: Dr. Sorina Ailiesei (TAC)
Course: Research Writing
Assignment: Research Writing
 
 

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Peyton chose a topic he loves (horror movies), and his essay demonstrated a combination of commitment, authentic voice, and narrative clarity. The result was an essay that may have felt both deeply personal and broadly resonant.

This essay assignment focuses on argumentation, research-based writing, and revision practices. Within this course, students are challenged to develop clear, evidence-driven claims, and to reflect critically on their own thinking and writing processes.

Peyton’s accomplishment shows the intellectual growth that deliberate instruction, detailed feedback, and persistence can bring to fruition. Seeing him refine a complex idea he was passionate about into a coherent, persuasive essay confirmed the value of revision in the writing classroom. His drive and hard work proved engagement with sources, positive response to feedback, and his emerging confidence as a writer. Moments like this motivate my commitment to teaching writing and inspire me to continue creating a learning environment in which students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and recognize their own abilities to succeed academically.

In my classes, students are taught to clearly articulate why their argument matters. I tell them to think like a reader, encourage them to ask questions that matter to them, and to look beyond surface-level arguments. Strong writing persuades readers that the issue deserves attention. I think Peyton’s award-winning writing demonstrates control over rhetorical choices and an understanding of how those choices resonate with the audience.

Finally, I work to help students see themselves as writers whose ideas are worth sharing. When students take ownership of their thinking and trust their analytical voice, their writing becomes more compelling and ambitious. The biggest reward for me is when they gain their confidence as writers.

The time and effort they invest in developing strong writing skills will pay off beyond any writing course. I teach them that effective writing is tightly connected to critical thinking. Writing needs clarity, organization, and logical progression—skills that students will need whether they are drafting a lab report, a grant proposal, a dissertation, or a professional email.

When students recognize writing as a tool for reasoning, not just a way of expression, they are more likely to see its relevance in life. I remind students that writing is one of the few academic skills they will continuously use throughout their lives. While professions change, the need to communicate clearly, responsibly, and persuasively remains constant.

Peyton was born in Akron and has lived most of his life in Twinsburg, where he just graduated from Twinsburg High School. As a CCP student, he attended college classes at ������Ƶ Campus and on the Geauga Campus. He is already two years into his college studies, equivalent to an associate's degree. This fall, Peyton will attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Media-Image Production. He says he also regained his passion for writing, so his career goal is to combine his love for horror movies and writing to perhaps become a screenwriter, director, and/or author.

PEYTON’S PERSPECTIVE:
In this essay, I write about how, throughout history, the Universal Monsters have impacted the many horror movies of today. The conjunction of the many tropes from Universal Monsters that defy horror, numerous moral conflicts from these classic monster movies, and that classic atmospheric visual style, with the fog and looming towers that continue to be referenced today. I was inspired to write about this as I love horror movies as a whole and wanted to go to their origins, as Universal Monsters made horror movies profitable and widely recognized. With continuous remakes and reimagining today, the Universal Monsters still get adapted, changed up, and referenced today.

I believe this essay was selected as a winner due to the passion I put into the paper. Horror movies are my whole identity, and numerous horror movie props and decorations fill my room. I believe this was evident when my professor said this: “...I just saw the potential, talent, and commitment you demonstrated to invest in this essay (not an easy combo to find). The topic you chose was also a deciding factor…” I very easily went into depth and described what was necessary and important about these movies, as I truly believed their influence goes unrecognized. I was simply glad to talk about the genre I adore.

At a regional campus, I can hone my capabilities as a writer. I felt more comfortable going to a teacher and meeting after hours to help with my papers. I grew more of a personality with my professor, due to the smaller campus. This helped me gain confidence in myself as I worked on assignments. When I go to the main campus and meet more people, I feel like I can write to my fullest after using the lessons learned at the regional campus. I take a creative writing class now, and it has helped me gain even more confidence, but in a new way that would never have started if it were not for the work I had done in my regional campus.

This accomplishment in writing has greatly reshaped my goals, as I had never thought about becoming a writer in any shape or form. After this class, I began to notice my capabilities as a writer and how they blended with my true pride for the horror genre. I had been exploring horror movies for so long that I had neglected horror novels. I wanted to learn more, but I also wanted to write more. With this accomplishment, I want to reshape my academic career to classes more similar to writing and improving my skills.

2ND PLACE PERRYMAN: MARIA METOKI 
“Spaghetti and Meatballs and General Tso’s Chicken”
Instructor: Prof. Mahli Mechenbier (TAC)  
Course: College Writing
Assignment: Argumentative Research Essay

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
 

Maria’s essay claim was grounded in research but also approached the topic from a pop culture angle. She is thorough and approaches the topic from multiple angles: cultural, psychological, and economic.

With Maria, I could tell her mother is a teacher: Maria approaches each assignment with a dedicated sincerity; she writes meaningfully and is committed to ensuring that she writes inclusively for her audience.

I encourage students to select topics that they would enjoy discussing during a dinner conversation with friends. Students often choose topics which are too academic because they think “Oh, that’s a college-level idea.” However, any concept they want to write about can be academically researched and supported with evidence. Therefore, I want students to have fun with topics relevant to their lives and within their areas of expertise.

Regardless of what students will be doing after graduation, the manner in which they communicate—the way they make vocabulary and punctuation choices—sets the tone with a client and conveys professionalism in the workplace.  

Maria is a CCP student from Hudson High School, attending college classes at ������Ƶ State’s Twinsburg Academic Center. She is interested in food science, marine biology, and medicine. Maria would like to combine all her interests and strengths in the future.

MARIA’S PERSPECTIVE:
The essay prompt was to make an argument supporting your position regarding some troubling situation in the world. I was inspired to write about my topic because I wanted to incorporate pop culture. Food holds importance and can carry stories across generations; however, food has been appropriated (miscredited).

Food, as we know it, has evolved from original dishes, creating flavorful innovations while erasing original cultural stories. Particularly, dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs and General Tso’s Chicken have been transformed. Unfortunately, “Americanized” food has exploited food for profit rather than honoring its origins.

I have received numerous opportunities to receive personalized instruction at the Twinsburg regional campus. Professor Mechenbier has been able to connect with me through Teams virtually, accommodating my high school schedule. Additionally, my writing instructor has helped me excel in writing by brainstorming new ideas and reading my essays to provide feedback. With my class meeting only once a week, I have greatly valued utilizing office hours for support.

This accomplishment in writing has helped me realize how important hard work is. I am able to look back on my time in college-level English and reflect how far I have come.

3RD PLACE PERRYMAN: LILA MARDIS
“When Pain is Profiled: The Racial Bias Amongst Blacks and Pain Management”
Instructor: Dr. Mary Hricko (TAC)  
Course: College Writing
Assignment: Problem-Solution Essay

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS: 

Lila wrote this paper for an assignment in which students were asked to identify a problem (related to their program of study) and discuss possible solutions to address this issue.  

My priorities involve teaching students to engage in evidence-based writing, showing them how to develop information literacy in their academic program areas, and helping them see why research ethics matters.

Lila is interested in pursuing a medical career; her work reflects a topic that is meaningful to her.

Lila declined an interview for this article, but her accomplishment as a Perryman Award winner is noteworthy and celebrated. The Geauga Campus at Burton and the Twinsburg Academic Center extend congratulations to each of these students and their four instructors for the hard work, skill, and dedication required to earn these regional writing awards from the ������Ƶ English Department.