Off to New York: Student wins prestigious writing scholarship

May 10, 2015

From left, UW-Whitewater seniors Carlos Melendez, Megan Bruni, Zach Hicks and Fred Hofstetter in a discussion group on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 during class in Heide Hall. ©UW-Whitewater/Craig Schreiner

Carlos Melendez started writing poetry at Waukesha South High School for fun. Later, he began composing short stories, working harder at his craft and wondering where his talent would take him.

Enter Associate Professor Marilyn Annucci, Melendez's creative nonfiction writing instructor. Annucci saw something special in his work and nominated him for a scholarship to attend Skidmore College's Summer Writers Institute for two weeks in Saratoga Springs, New York. He won.

"I was thrilled that his strong writing was recognized. Too often in contests that have hundreds of submissions, very good writing can be overlooked," she said. "There's an element of subjectivity and chance in every competition."

As for Melendez, his first thought when he heard he'd won was, "I guess I'm going to New York!

"I am by nature very competitive," he said. "This is a chance to make great contacts and see if my work is any good."

One of the pieces he submitted, "A Slacker's Manifesto," explores with humor, insight, frankness and intelligence his desire to be a "somebody" in this world, according to Annucci.

"As Carlos reflects on the role of failure and success, he does what the best comedians do-he makes us laugh, and he makes us think. Ultimately, in this essay he succeeds spectacularly," she said.

Melendez will attend the Summer Writers Institute with college students from institutions such as The Ohio State University, Boston College, Northwestern University and Columbia University.

"UW-Whitewater has a very strong Department of Languages and Literatures," Annucci said. "We have many fine student writers and excellent faculty who help these writers to develop more fully while they are studying here."

Melendez couldn't agree more. "I have had great professors at UW-Whitewater," he said. "I didn't know much about the university when I came here, I just knew I wanted to write. All of my teachers have been so supportive," Melendez said.

Melendez, whose dream is to publish a collection of short stories, will get the opportunity to learn from a top-notch lineup of visiting writers that includes Ann Beattie, Russell Banks, Joyce Carol Oates and Michael Ondaatje.