Frederick Native Named Finalist for Literary Prize

Being named a finalist for Washington College's Sophie Kerr Prize was the culmination of four years of work for Insley Smullen.

The prize is the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation, valued at $61,062 this year, and is awarded annually to a graduating senior at the college.

"Everything I had been working for had been recognized," she said. "It was very flattering."

Smullen didn't win the prize, but motivated herself throughout college by telling herself that if she could be a finalist, that would be enough.

"When I was told that, I was pretty much satisfied," she said of being a finalist.

The award is typically presented at graduation, but this year the college held a reception at Poets House in New York on May 17 to announce the winner. Lisa Jones of Fork received the prize.

Smullen, a Frederick native and graduate of Middletown High School, chose to attend Washington College in Chestertown because of its strong writing program and the Sophie Kerr Prize. She graduated May 22 with a bachelor's degree in English.

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