Freshman Design/Technology/Stage Management major Iris Vallier, a student in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities (RCASH), won third place in the 11th annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest.

Vallier received an award certificate and a $150 cash prize.

The annual contest is open to all Missouri State full-time undergraduate students, according to Stacey Trewatha-Bach, assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs Support.

“The contest is a joint undertaking between the MSU Sigma Pi fraternity, its alumni through the Institute for Development of Ethics and Leadership and the MSU Office of Public Affairs Support,” she said.

Along with a $1,500 cash prize, the first place winner received $500 to donate to a charity or non-profit of choice, Trewatha-Bach said. Sigma Pi fraternity’s alumni non-profit organization, IDEAL, provides these prize funds.

Second place winners receive a $300 MSU Bookstore gift card, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. Third place winners receive $150.

2025 Michael N. Compton awardees

First place: Trinity Tuggle, freshman, biomedical sciences

Second place (tie): Shawnewa Dahozy, senior, biomedical sciences; Warren Stulac, junior, childhood education and family studies

Third place (tie): Iris Vallier, freshman, theatre and dance; Nguyen Huynh, junior, chemistry and biochemistry; and Rachael Hartzell, junior, animal science

Resilience in the Arts

Each year, student essayists write about a specific theme. This year’s theme was Resilient People, Resilient Future.

Vallier hopes someday either to be a Broadway lighting designer or to own her own theatre company. As a student in Missouri State’s Department of Theatre and Dance, she wrote her essay on “Resilience in Relation to the Arts.”

“I talked about theatre’s impact on marginalized and oppressed communities, how theatre is used as a means for emotional expression and self-discovery and even theatre programs being implemented throughout the US incarceration system,” she said.

When she learned she had won, Vallier immediately texted her family. “I was definitely shocked because I sort of just submitted to the contest on a whim.”

“It felt really good to know that someone heard my words and that it meant something to them as well,” she added.

Public Affairs mission gives students opportunities for growth

Vallier said she is proud of her writing and hopes to write more while in college.

“I’ve always been an arts and humanities person, and I do enjoy writing,” she said. “I’ve just never had many opportunities. I’ll totally write more if given more opportunities to do so. I especially enjoy getting to write about my passions and [choosing] my own topics.”

Missouri State students should take advantage of opportunities like the public affairs essay contest, Vallier added.

“There are so many opportunities and cool things happening around campus all the time! If MSU students remain engaged with the Public Affairs mission and department, they will be able to take advantage of these opportunities and experience professional development, creating real life skillsets that you may not be able to get in the classroom.”

Explore Public Affairs @ Mo State

Photo credits: Stacey Trewatha-Bach.