Kent State University at Tuscarawas freshman Jason Keller won first-place honors in the university system's Virginia Perryman writing contest for his essay titled "Feeling Your Confidence." (Submitted)

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Kent State Tuscarawas freshman Jason Keller is being commended for winning first-place honors in the university’s eight-campus Virginia Perryman Awards in Freshman Writing.

Keller's essay, “Feeling Your Confidence,” was written during his College Writing I course with Dr. "GPat" Patterson in fall 2018. The professor calls the win impressive considering there were students from eight different campuses competing.

Keller’s paper was in response to a rhetorical analysis and persuasive response assignment inspired by the Kent Stater article “Boys Don’t Cry, Men Do” by Bruno Beidacki. 

“Working on this piece really opened my eyes to the reality of society – what society wants you to feel as compared to what you really feel,” says Keller, a 19-year-old Dundee resident. 

Keller says the message of his essay is to never be afraid to show your emotions.

English Department staff and faculty presented Keller with his award and a $50 cash prize during a ceremony on April 25th. 

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY AT TUSCARAWAS