Sawed-Off Shotgun
The late-night, grainy mugshot of the woman with a coy smile tugging at her lips betrayed her name, finally, at the bottom: Brandy Wright. No one knew where she got it at first. No one understood why she felt the …
Creative Nonfiction
In Print
Student 2021
Writing Contest Winners
A Mother’s Strength
Magical Benson by Tasheana Tenorio of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
The world seems still and quiet, almost like everything is in slow motion except for me. People are walking by, always giving a sad nod, like they know why you are there. His dad is on the other side of …
Glenora
Hidden History Now Seen by Daniella James of San Carlos Apache College
All thoughts of my mother are similarly complicated by one thing. She died when I was fifteen. By the time I was twenty-four, I felt I’d already lived three lifetimes, in just this one life (which I’d always hoped would …
Where There Is Chaos, There Will Also Be Peace
“It wasn’t just the coma. I couldn’t feel her spirit in the room with us. I knew she was gone, and she wasn’t coming back.”
The Game
“The Warriors versus the Cowgirls, too fantastic to be made up, and the mascots couldn’t be more fitting.”
On the Mysterious Power of Language
“In languages, we encapsulate the individual and communal mental and spiritual contemplative efforts of a people—each unique.”
Little Peculiarities
“A low rumble sounds gradually then all at once the train rounds the corner toward the road. Wind rushes across my face as it tears past. In its wake, the penny spins from the rail, flattened smooth.”
Long Road Home
“A man walked into an El Paso Wal-Mart, training his aim on families gearing up for back-to-school. Mothers were armed with carts with new backpacks, markers, glue, and notebooks.”
Fyre
“It started off as little specks of smoke and eventually turned into a single fire all in one. As I reached the ground, I went as fast as I could in the opposite direction of the flames.”
You, Wynter Adalyne Lulamae Shepherd
Wilhemena of the Summit by Deborah Teller-Tsosie of Diné College
You were the biggest surprise. You survived a full term plus two weeks without me knowing. I found out about You on Your birthday, February 7, 2017. I was scared and confused and not sure what to do. But when …