The winners of a statewide storytelling competition all hail from Mississippi State University and received top prizes for their moving narratives of struggles, human triumph and finding identity through poetry.

A Mississippi State faculty member steeped in literary knowledge is the new head of the university’s Department of English.

Anne Louise Phillips is a sophomore English major who enjoys being involved with campus life. Raised on a homestead in Attala County, Phillips earned a prestigious G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Presidential Scholarship in 2022 and is using MSU opportunities to hone her skills and prepare for a fulfilling career.