HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 28, 2015 – High Point University junior Bria Ballard is the recipient of the 2015 High Point Literary League scholarship for exhibiting excellence and strength in writing.
Each fall, the High Point Literary League awards one female HPU student with the scholarship, valued at $2,000. The recipient is selected by faculty in the English Department on the basis of writing skill demonstrated in class and in published work, as well as their general contribution to the writing culture on campus.
“The English department is very proud of Bria and all of her hard work,” says Dr. Leah Schweitzer, associate professor of English at HPU. “Her incredible work ethic and dedication to her studies make her very deserving of this scholarship.”
Ballard was presented with the award at the league’s annual luncheon, where Christina Baker Kline, author of “Orphan Train,” served as the guest speaker.
“A sign of a good book is when the author clearly did their research on whatever subject they’re talking about,” says Ballard, a Durham native majoring in English with a concentration in writing. “It doesn’t matter if the author is writing fiction or fantasy – having some realm of realness and factual content is important to me. Christina spoke in-depth about the amount of research she had to do in order to make ‘Orphan Train’ a reality – she interviewed actual train riders, read countless books on them and traveled to the orphan train reunions. That amount of dedication to her craft should inspire all writers to be as precise and factual as her when it comes to writing.”
Ballard is honored to have received this award from HPU faculty members in the English Department, who she goes to with many questions about her writing.
“I feel honored that my teachers thought of me when giving out the scholarship and will continue to work hard to create more exciting stories for everyone to read,” says Ballard.