The Twentieth Century Literary Club has announced the winner of the Derexa King Award for literary excellence. Original writings from Jasper High School junior and senior students are considered for awards.

The winner of this year’s award, an engraved desk clock, is Bennett Schmitt, whose composition is “Voices.” His parents are Daryl and Tricia Schmitt and his teacher is Tina Luebbehusen. The runner-up award, an engraved key chain, was presented to Kamila Graham whose parents are Joanna and Jeremy Graham. Ms. Graham’s composition was “A Shoreless Space.” Her teacher is Brooke Keusch.

The Derexa King Award is presented in memory of Derexa Savage King, who was a former member of the Twentieth Century Literary Club. She was the first woman to practice law in Dubois County. She was admitted to the Indiana State Bar in 1951 and was admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Indiana and the Supreme Court of the United States. She was a former president of the Dubois-Martin County Bar Association. Mrs. King passed away in 1981. This is the 33rd year the Derexa King Award has been presented.