Sequim Gazette staff

Four Peninsula College students recently were named winners of the PC English Department Essay Awards.

Janel Bolinger, Kaila Gresli, Julia Tatum and Kimberly Dougherty received their awards at the June 14 Board of Trustees meeting at PC’s Cornaby Center.

Gresli’s narrative essay entitled “Double Trouble” took first place and a $150 award. She is completing the prerequisites required for the Nursing program.

“Beasts, Birds, and Tortoises: Animal Symbolism of the Satanic and Divine,” by Julia Tatum, also nabbed first place in the Research/Analysis Essay category.

She is finishing her Associate of Science (AS) honors and Associate of Arts (AA) honors degrees at Peninsula College. This fall, she will transfer to Western Washington University or the University of Washington to finish her degree in environmental science and also is working toward certification in geographic information systems (GIS). Her goal is to do field-based research that allows her to work outdoors.

“I had to read the email a few times before it sank in, but then I was so excited,” Tatum said of receiving the honor.

Bolinger received a second-place nod for her research/analysis essay on, “Mindfulness: A Movement in the Moment.”

After completing her AA and nearly completing her AS, she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Bolinger tied with Dougherty who also received a second-place award in the same category for her essay entitled, “Vegetarian or Vegan: What’s the Difference?” After 20 years away, Doughtery has returned to school to pursue a career in nursing.

This year’s first-place winners were awarded $150 and second-place winners received $100.