Creative Writing student receives honor for her essay emulating the lasting effects of suicide

Monday, December 16, 2019

April BannisterUniversity of Iowa English and Creative Writing major April Bannister turned her sorrow into art as she shared her personal experience through writing. Her essay was published in UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. Bannister’s essay titled “I Owe You An Apology You Will Never Receive,” is a courageous piece that shares the lasting effects of suicide. Bannister is a sophomore at the University of Iowa and is from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

“Suicide reaches so far beyond what many recognize as its immediate effects, and I wanted to articulate why this matters and why it is crucial that we destigmatize conversations surrounding suicide,” Bannister said.

UReCA is the official undergraduate journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council. This year only 25 students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs were accepted into the journal at a 13% acceptance rate. UReCA fosters the exchange of ideas between undergraduate students, providing a platform where students can engage with, and contribute to, the advancement of their individual fields. 

“This work is original and believable, demonstrating a unique perspective in showing the impact individuals have in the lives of the people around them,” a member from the UReCA editorial team said.

Bannister wrote the essay as an exercise for her Foundations of Creative Writing course taught by Professor Julie Kedzie. Kedzie describes Bannister’s work as reaching far beyond the expectations of the course.

“I feel lucky to have a student like April in class,” Kedzie said. “April’s writing is well constructed and fully grasps the perfect combination of narrative and lyrism writing.” 

The prompt for the exercise was to write about a private moment in public time. This was Bannister’s opportunity to express her personal feelings by voicing her experience through writing.

After perfecting her piece, she decided to submit her work to the UReCA. Receiving recognition through the UReCA was a rewarding feeling for Bannister as she spent hours aiming to successfully emulate her take on suicide.

Selections for the journal are made from submissions received by a team of undergraduates at multiple colleges across the nation. Submissions are received throughout the year and represent a wide range of subjects, including creative works, scientific studies, and humanities research. Submissions are received on a rolling basis, and final decisions are made every August.

Bannister plans to continue writing with the goal of increasing awareness and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health.

“The more we are able to talk about sensitive subjects, the more we empower ourselves rather than let the pain control the narrative,” Bannister said.

Bannister dreams of attending the Iowa Writers' Workshop after receiving her bachelor's degree, and plans to pursue a MFA in Creative Writing.


The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers about 70 majors across the humanities; fine, performing and literary arts; natural and mathematical sciences; social and behavioral sciences; and communication disciplines. About 15,000 undergraduate and nearly 2,000 graduate students study each year in the college’s 37 departments, led by faculty at the forefront of teaching and research in their disciplines. The college teaches all Iowa undergraduates through the college's general education program, CLAS CORE. About 80 percent of all Iowa undergraduates begin their academic journey in CLAS. The college confers about 60 percent of the university's bachelor's degrees each academic year.