by Margaret Schell

T he Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award Ceremony took place April 2, 2025 at Georgia College & State University. Five finalists each received a significant cash prize made possible by the family of Margaret Harvin Wilson (’34).

Maggie Creekmore, a sophomore and English/creative writing major, from Hampton, Georgia, placed first in the first-year and sophomore division of the 2025 Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award for her short story “The Fourth Ballerina.”

She has first-hand experience in the subject matter.

“I’ve been a ballerina since I was 2 years old and trained in multiple kinds of dance for 17 years,” Creekmore said. “I’ve written about being backstage, on stage and in a dance studio. I've seen all the dark parts they don't typically put in a tutu.” 

She has been writing for many years, and her work was published.  

“Every time something writing-related happens, I get super excited,” Creekmore said. “My heart was racing as I waited to read my short story at the ceremony. It just it means so much to me and my future because I want to continue writing, editing and doing graphic design for my book covers the rest of my life.”

Charlotte Aexel, a senior English/creative writing and French major from Wind Lake, Wisconsin, took first place for her poem “Starling Menace” and second place for her poem “Such Beautiful Things” in the junior and senior category.

“Winning the Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award means everything to me,” she said. “It makes me feel validated as a writer.” 

“It’s fun to read literary work in a room full of people who care a lot about good writing,” she said. “I think it really extends confidence. It’s a beautiful thing.”

“Writing is my entire life," Aexel said. "I'm published in a couple different places. Every time something writing related happens, I get super excited."

Aexel ‘s grandfather’s hunting story was the inspiration for her poem, “Such Beautiful Things.” 

“He told me the story of how a BB hit his ear while he was hunting and how he and his friends had so much fun hunting together,” she said. “And he said, ‘Oh, such beautiful things.’” 

“I decided to write about his experience, because he's such a great storyteller and sometimes can't articulate it,” Aexel said. “So, I want to give the story the justice it deserves.” 

For the past three years, Aexel has been the editor-in-chief of the Peacock’s Feet, Georgia College’s literary journal where students’ work is published. 

Aexel plans to pursue her master’s degree in literature at Georgia College, then a Ph.D. so she can become a literature professor.

“Writing is an important method of self-expression and human representation,” she said. “When you read something and see yourself or others in it, it's a huge deal.”

Additional Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award finalists include junior Kennedy Welker of Thomaston, Georgia, who placed third for her short story “Wings;” first-year student Isabella Hsiung of Suwanee, Georgia, who placed second for her short story “The False Siren;” and sophomore Dhara Weaver of Hoschton, Georgia, placing third for her play “A Beginner’s Guide to Haunting.”