FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aging well is a goal for most and a challenge for many. For five University of Arkansas writers, the notion of “aging well” was the impetus for prize-winning creative writing.

At a reception honoring the writers, professors Ro DiBrezzo and Barbara Shadden, co-directors of the UA Office for Studies on Aging, will introduce the winners of the first annual Aging Well Creative Writing Award, who will read from their work. Generous cash prizes, provided by local benefactors Bob and Louise Garnett, will be presented. The reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at University House, located on the corner of Maple Avenue and Lindell Street.

First prize of $1,000 will be awarded to Miroslav Penkov, graduate student in English, for his short story, “A Girl to Jog With.” Librarian Necia Parker-Gibson will be awarded $500 as second prize for her poem, “All Your Life.” The third prize, $250, will go to Judith Walker, an accounting tech with Printing Services, for her poem, “Anniversary Dance.” Honorable mentions go to Karen Walls, a buyer in Business Affairs, for “Aging Well” and to Kathleen Barta, associate professor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, for “Can You Play?”

“We were moved by the care and feeling that went into each entry,” Shadden said. “It was difficult to choose from among the many thoughtful and well written pieces we received.”

DiBrezzo said, “We were especially pleased to receive manuscripts from all corners of campus and to find that in the end the winners include a student and members of the staff and faculty.”

Open to all faculty, staff and students at the University of Arkansas, the creative writing contest attracted 29 entries that included poems, short stories, essays, drama and personal narrative.

In response to the graying of America, the College of Education and Health Professions collaborated with the UA Graduate School to establish the Office for Studies on Aging in 1999.  The office promotes interdisciplinary research and gerontology education on the University of Arkansas campus while working with groups in the community to enhance the quality of life for older adults.

 Graduate assistant Melissa Powers coordinated publicity and logistics for the Aging Well contest.