English Department Awards

Guthmann-Brooks Achievement Award
The Guthmann-Brooks Achievement Award is given to an outstanding student who demonstrated high levels of motivation and performance in English classes.

2022 Award Recipient

Kennedy DeVries

With every English class at Fullerton College, I have fallen in love with the way mere words can help us make sense of our world’s past, present, and future. Thank you to the many magical professors who have gotten me here, especially Joe Carrithers who nominated me for this award.

– Kennedy DeVries

Kennedy DeVries is an exceptional scholar who always does a thorough job of research and presents thoughtful and intriguing ideas in her writing. I’ve had the delightful – or as she would put it, “magical” – experience of working with her in two classes, ENGL 103 and ENGL 208, and I have always enjoyed reading her work. She brings such a joie de vivre to her studies.

 

– Professor Joe Carrithers

William T. Boyce Creative Writing Achievement Award
William T. Boyce Creative Writing Achievement Award is given to outstanding writers of poetry, drama, and the short story.

2022 Award Recipient

Natalie Vargas

It’s very exciting to have people read and enjoy my work. I am honored to have won and I give many thanks to my professors.

– Natalie Vargas


Natalie Vargas is a standout creative writer with a clear writer’s voice and lyrical style. She employs well-crafted imagery in her creative works to convey compelling, universal themes. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with her this semester! I look forward to enjoying her published works in the future and reminiscing about the days when I was lucky enough to be her first creative writing professor.

– Professor Kim Vandervort


Amanda Walzer Freshman Writing Award
First awarded in 2017, this award honors the life and work of English Professor Amanda Walzer. It is awarded to an outstanding writer from the freshman English classes.

2022 Award Recipient

Maria Figueroa

I am truly grateful to Professor Fouquette for nominating me for this award, and to the English Department for selecting me as the recipient!

– Maria Figueroa


I nominated Maria for this award for her commitment to developing her skills as a writer and a thinker over two challenging semesters. In addition to pushing herself to excel, Maria was a generous classmate, offering encouragement and support to her peers in English 100 and 103. This combination of dedication to learning and compassion for other people will serve Maria well in her intended career as an immigration lawyer. Congratulations Maria!

– Professor Danielle Fouquette

Herb Guthmann and Kathleen Brooks Memorial Scholarship
The Herb Guthmann and Kathleen Brooks Memorial Scholarship, originally titled the English Department Scholarship, was established in 1964 by the English Department faculty to recognize outstanding student performance in composition and literature.

2022 Award Recipient

Jessica King

The past three years at Fullerton College has been a wonderful experience connecting with my English professors. After working with Dr. Ison in the Curriculum Committee, it was an honor learn from him in a classroom setting. He encouraged me to always think outside the box and pursue all my educational ambitions. I’m so grateful that he believed in me since the very first day of class!

– Jessica King


Jessica King is the real thing when it comes to literary scholarship. She is a perceptive reader and a sensitive writer, and grading her essays was a joy. Jessica is as ambitious as she is gifted, and I look forward to her contribution to the literary future.

-Professor John Ison