If you're looking for a way to tell your own story and win prizes, you can try the One Book, One College Essay and Art Contest.
Essays up to 1,500 words in length will be judged on originality, compelling content and the quality of written expression. Art compositions must exhibit some relation to the book and must be accompanied by a minimum 50 word artist statement about how the artistic piece connects to the novel. Up to ten finalists will receive a cash prize and will read their essays at an awards ceremony.
For more information, contact Daniel Keener (daniel.keener@chaffey.edu or Bonnie Khaw-Posthuma (bonnie.khawposthuma@chaffey.edu.
One Book, One College Presents
Forager: Field Notes For Surviving a Family Cult: A Memoir by Michelle Dowd
The narrator of this story, Michelle, takes us on a journey of survival, a journey of foraging for the things it took for her to live, a journey of self-discovery. Growing up in the Angeles National Forest, Michelle was born in to a cult with her grandfather as the leader. The cult followers would do whatever it was he asked of them. Food, physical and emotional affection, and books besides the Bible were all forbidden. They were distractions from the work the cult leader wanted. This book is heroic in many of the stories told and the lessons we learn along the way.
Essay Contest
Have you ever experienced alienation or "othering" in your life? Have you ever been denied being yourself? Have you ever been denied the basics of human need? Do you know friends or family who have? What was their story and consequently yours? Do you empathize with people who are ostracized because they do not fit in? Do you feel that your education has taught you what you need to know about your world and how to navigate it? If any of these things relate to you or resonate with you, tell that story. We want to hear from you.
NOTE: You must be a current or former Chaffey College student to enter.
Art Contest
The art contest asks you to make an art piece that in some way relates directly to this book. The options are plentiful. You could draw, paint, sculpt, write a poem, perform a song, perform a skit, make a video, etc. There are many ways to create art that relates to this book.
If you choose this option, please also submit an artist’s statement that explains how this work relates to the book. It should be between 50 and 100 words.
NOTE: You must be a current or former Chaffey College student to enter.
Email Daniel Keener or Bonnie KhawPosthuma to submit your essay/artwork now through Friday, March 21st, 2025. Essays up to 1,500 words in length will be judged on originality, compelling content, and the quality of written expression. Artwork will be judged on how well it relates to the college book as well as its aesthetic quality. Up to ten finalists will receive a cash prize and will read their essays at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 from 4-6 pm on the Wignall Museum patio on the Rancho Cucamonga campus.
To submit your essay and/or art, please contact Daniel Keener at daniel.keener@chaffey.edu or Bonnie Khaw-Posthuma at bonniekhawposthuma@chaffey.edu
When you submit your essay and/or art, please make sure that any identification is omitted. Delete your name from the work. In the email, please include your Chaffey ID number and a phone number where you can be reached.
Poetry Contest
Co-sponsored by the One Book, One College Committee, Library, and the English Department.
Create a poem based on the college book, Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult: A Memoir.
Deadline: Tuesday, November 12th before 4 p.m.
Poems must be no longer than one page.
Prizes will be $50 gift cards from the Chaffey College Campus Store.
Submit Poems to Professor Ian Jones: robert.jones@chaffey.edu
Other Contacts: sean.connelly@chaffey.edu and shelley.marcus@chaffey.edu
