HCTC success story: Travis Stidham

HCTC graduate Travis Stidham of Leslie County shined because of his writing ability demonstrated in his classes, and now that gift has now been recognized by the University of Kentucky. Stidham has been named to UK s The Twenty, a group of young writers who are invited to attend Kentucky Young Writers Advance this summer in Hindman.

Stidham graduated from HCTC in spring of 2008 with an Associate of Arts degree and then he went on to pursue degrees in psychology and English at EKU where he also enrolled in Creative Writing classes.

HCTC Professor Venita Caldwell commented, He took both of my psychology classes, and I was so impressed and entertained by his journal entries that I could hardly wait to get another one! He is a born writer. That his potential has been acknowledged by his acceptance into this elite group of writers makes my day. Travis and students like him are the reason I get out of bed and come to work every morning.

Professor Scott Lucero said that Travis was an exemplary student. He was enthusiastic and attentive and completely engaged by any assignment I threw his way. I wish all my students were as engaged as Travis. I saw a lot of promise from the very beginning. He has real talent and a genuine drive that makes his work shine bright, Lucero said. Travis is dedicated to the craft of writing.

When Nikky Finney asked me to recommend writers for The Twenty, Travis immediately came to mind. His gift and talent are beyond reproach. I see big things for Mr. Stidham, Professor Lucero said.

HCTC helped Stidham in transferring from HCTC to Eastern Kentucky University and he said that if it hadn t been for the staff then he doesn t think jump to college would have gone so smoothly. While attending HCTC Travis said that he had some great experiences. He attended his first poetry reading at the Leslie County Center, and then he said that he found out about Evening with Poets and the Spring Writers Conference.

Stidham said that he would definitely recommend HCTC to others.

His interest in writing led him to become the lead web-designer and one of three poetry and fiction editors for Aurora Online literary magazine. He is also working as the fiction editor for Aurora's Spring 2011 print version.

Travis s future career goals include a Master of Fine Arts degree. He hopes to become a successful writer one day, or at the very least write stuff that people want to hear about. Stidham plans on teaching English and Creative Writing at the college level somewhere around the area, and to stay in contact with the staff at HCTC. Stidham also plans to stay in touch with the Evening with Poets. His biggest goal at the moment is to one day come back and teach his own workshop at the annual Spring Writers Conference at HCTC.

Interested in becoming the next success story? Call 487-3102 about enrolling.