2020 Undergraduate Poetry Contest Winners

Nate Venarske is a student at Mississippi State University majoring in Biological Engineering and minoring in Creative Writing. He is an artist and naturalist who enjoys photographing, drawing, and writing about nature as much as studying it. On the side, he enjoys playful philosophical and political discussions, and he is always game for chess. He placed first in the 2020 Undergraduate Poetry Contest, sponsored by Mississippi State University Libraries.

DeJuanay Hunter Jr. was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He transferred to Mississippi State University as a sociology major in 2019. He has enjoyed getting to know Mississippi better, though he has found it challenging at times. In his own words he states, “Truly, I am grateful to all of the people, past and present, who have supported me during my time here on Earth and a big thanks to Mississippi State University.” He placed second in the 2020 Undergraduate Poetry Contest, sponsored by Mississippi State University Libraries.

Keli Barrett is a resident of Newton County, MS. She currently works at East Central Community College and attends Mississippi State University as an undergrad in the Interdisciplinary Studies program. Barrett is the mother of three amazing children, Jaymie, Julie, and Jaxton. She has been writing since she was 10 years old and loves reading books and writing in her spare time. She placed third in the 2020 Undergraduate Poetry Contest, sponsored by Mississippi State University Libraries.