IRONWOOD — Local student writers were among the winners in the 2025 Samsons Writing Contest held by Gogebic Community College with campuses in Ironwood and Houghton. The competition, which features cash prizes, consisted of three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry. The contest was funded by the GCC Foundation with judges comprised of Gogebic faculty.

First place in Fiction was awarded to Kristin Aho for her short story “Tulikettu.” Aho lives in Calumet and studies Forestry and Biology while at Gogebic Community College. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and taking her dogs on long walks. Contest judge Karen Bell said, “This story is beautifully written. The imagery is rich and immediately drew me in. The ethical dilemma you introduce creates genuine tension and leaves the reader curious about what the hunter will do, very well done.” Another judge, Mariah Partanen said,”Great conclusion that ties the story together well. The writer did an excellent job telling a detailed story that spanned a year, in just a handful of pages. Very well written! -Mariah Partanen

Second Place in Fiction went to “Cathedral” by Ryan Dennis and third place was awarded to Dillon Madden for ”194, 702.”

First Place in Creative Nonfiction was awarded to Kailin Aho for “The Funeral.” The Copper Country native currently lives in Chicago while she attending Mortuary School. “The Funeral” follows her experience with loss, something which later in life, inspired her to become a funeral director herself. When she’s not busy with work, she enjoys listening to music, journaling, and exploring the city.

Judge DeeAnn Eller said, “This story was relatable and real to many. It was well-written and offered good imagery. The reader can feel what the author feels.” Another judge, Kari Klemme, wrote, “Having gone to a few funerals this year, the imagery in this writing brought me right back. I have not yet had to be on the receiving end of the line of guests, and I don’t look forward to it, especially after feeling all the feels from this. So deep, so heavy, yet a part of everyone’s life. Judge Matt Gage, from the GCC Houghton Campus, said “This was another story that it was easy to feel a part of. The language used by the author was very descriptive and really does well to depict the uneasy setting of a funeral.

Second place in nonfiction was awarded to Joanna Datta for “My Favorite Centenarian,” and third place went to “I Laughed” by Morgan Burger

Atlantic Mine resident Alyssa Stenersen took the top prize in Poetry for “Dear Window,” The married, mother of five plans to attend the University of Wisconsin – Superior to study General Psychology and study further to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. She says in her free time she enjoys nature.

Judge Jennifer Sabourin in her comments wrote, ” Ooo, I liked that. The author gave life and meaning to an inanimate object that holds so many truths in what the author wrote. The happenings inside and outside of the house are all what is seen and heard. I liked how that author continued to bring back their interaction or impact.”

John Austin praised the poem saying “It’s patient personification of the material thing which performs, by its own will or so it seems, the vital function of giving the eyes a place to learn and know and feel — and the correlative action of the window seeing in, the world seeing in as if it has eyes of its own — is really quite powerful. Reading this, it’s hard to argue that the window is not an animate object. [Window– hybrid compound of Germanic ‘vind’ (=wind) and Latinate ‘oeil’ (=eye )].” –

Second Place in Poetry went to Miah Bill for “Envious that I Am” while third place went to “Affliction” by Alexandra Bulter-Ehle

To read all the winning works go to https://www.gogebic.edu/news/creative_writing_winners.html