Journeys Poetry Contest  Third-Place Winner 2006-2007

Tamara Krause completed an A.A. and an A.S. in Legal Assisting at FCCJ in May of 2006.  This fall, she will attend UNF to complete her bachelor’s degree in English.  After graduation, Tamara may apply to law schools or use her writing talents in the non-profit sector. She is also interested in returning to FCCJ as an adjunct instructor to share her love of writing.  Already, she is involved in an upcoming workshop designed to help students write successful scholarship essays and further their own educations.   

In the last two years, Tamara has taken advantage of FCCJ’s many opportunities for developing writers.  She worked as a writer for the Campus Voice newspaper, published a piece entitled “Who Am I?” in The Experience, and won first place in a Florida Phi Theta Kappa contest for her short story, “Awakenings.”  Tamara encourages all student writers to check out the Campus Voice:  “It’s a good starting point . . . they’ll help you.” 

Most of her writing is for her own use, often in the form of journals and poems.  Tamara explains, “When I’ve got some turmoil going on, [writing] lets me release emotions.”  And though she rarely displays her many other artistic talents to the public, her house is decorated with her own photography and watercolor paintings.             

Tamara’s advice to other student writers demonstrates her understanding of creative writing’s relevance and importance.  She admonishes hesitant writers to “never assume that what you write doesn’t hold meaning for someone else. . . . Your work will touch other people. You never know.”  

Tamara wrote “Snapshots” in June, 2005 at the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute in Las Vegas.