Rookie Cards

These are a the first things written and the first things recognized Dedicated to Brother Joseph Chvala, C.S.C. who saw through the slacker in me and nourished the writing to where he is evoked and appreciated every day. (Even if it’s only bristling at other people’s misspellings.)

The first award received was for a French poem written, “Le Sauveur de Desespoir” (The Savior from Despair) was written to salvage a failing French grade (eventually got a C-) and was entered by Br. Joe into a contest that eventually earned recognition and publication in the spring 1982 edition of the Pied Piper, the Literary Journal of Ohio’s Defiance College. In 1983, the short poem “My Old Man” earned a First Place Award in the Pied Piper.

Both poems can be read here.

Leftovers | Flight ’83
This short story was written for an independent study with Brother Joe in the winter of 1983. It was recognized by St Edward’s literary magazine, Flight, and in 1984 earned a Second Place Award for Fiction in the special Gold Circle national competition at the 61st Annual Convention of the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association.

Read Leftovers PDF Here

An Interview with Edwin Newman | Flight ’83

Read the Interview with Edwin Newman Here

This essay on a press conference with NBC newsman, anchor, reporter, and linguish, Edwin Newman, taking place at Lorain Community in College in November 1982 appeared in St Edward’s literary magazine, Flight, and in 1984 earned a First Place Award for Interview in the special Gold Circle national competition at the 61st Annual Convention of the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association.

An Interview with Hal Holbrook

Read the Hal Holbrook Interview

The first assignment from Br. Joe for Flight was to go down to E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron and try and score an interview with Hal Holbrook following his performance of Mark Twain Tonight. ‘He’s grew up for a time in Lakewood,’ coached Br. Joe, ‘so you might make sure you mention you’re from Lakewood St. Edward.’