The Shadow
Clifton Forge, Va. (VR) — Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 VCCS/MGCC Poet Laureate & Visual Art Luminary (PLVA) contest. This year’s competition saw a high volume of thoughtful and creative submissions, showcasing the
immense talent within the MGCC student body and making the judging process both exciting and challenging.
“We are incredibly impressed by the depth of talent shared with us this year,” said Nova Wright, Mountain Gateway Library Director. “Every student who submitted work contributed to a vibrant dialogue of art and expression on our campus. We thank everyone who participated.”
2025-2026 PLVA
Award Winners
Visual Art
• 1st Place: Stare by Sarah Williams
• 2nd Place: Dream of Music by Stuart Richardson
• 3rd Place: Where Titans are Born by Kelsey Neil
Poetry
• 1st Place: Moon Dreams by Keyana Alexis Smith
• 2nd Place: This Dream by Lee McMullen
• 3rd Place: Directionless Aspirations by Matthew Morris
Advancing to State Competition
As first-place winners, Keyana Alexis Smith and Sarah Williams will represent Mountain Gateway Community College at the VCCS State competition. The event will be held at Virginia Western Community College on March 28th, where they will compete against top talent from across the Virginia Community College System.
Meet the First-Place Winners
Keyana Alexis Smith (Poetry) Keyana is a poet, mother of four, and a returning student at MGCC. After earning her associate’s degree in General Studies in 2024, she returned to pursue a degree in Nursing (ADN). She aspires to become a Labor & Delivery nurse and ultimately a Nurse Midwife. Her winning poem, Moon Dreams, is influenced by her various roles as a mother, student, and friend, exploring the “hollowing fullness” of human connection.
Sarah Williams (Visual Art) A native of Warm Springs, Virginia, Sarah discovered her love for art as a child while watching her mother doodle. Her early interest in sketching evolved into a passion for painting, where she specializes in exploring subjects involving animals and people. Sarah is currently enrolled in Business Management with a specialization in Administrative Support.
Both winning entries can be viewed on the Mountain Gateway Community College website.
Public Reception and Exhibition
Mountain Gateway will host a public reception to celebrate all winners on March 17 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in the MGCC Library.
The event will feature:
• An informal interview and discussion with the winners regarding their creative processes.
• Live poetry readings by the winning poets.
• A dedicated exhibition of the winning pieces, which will remain on display in the library for the campus community to enjoy.
ABOUT MGCC: Founded in 1962 and located in the Alleghany Highlands region of Central Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia.
Mountain Gateway Community College operates two educational campuses, the Clifton Forge campus and the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. MGCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.
Mountain Gateway Community College is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Northern Botetourt, and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit MGCC.edu
Keyana Smith (MGCC photo)
Sarah Williams (MGCC photo)
