Berea College’s Weatherford- Hammond Prize in Appalachian Literature awarded to Jackson County Native, Allie Marcum

On Friday, March 31st, Jackson County’s own Allie Marcum was informed by Chris Green of the Berea College Loyal Jones Appalachian Center that the research paper she had submitted had won The Weatherford-Hammond Price in Appalachian Literature. Allie’s paper addresses the Appalachian Dialect as it is reflected and as it is treated by the members of the staff and student body at Berea College. Her paper calls upon the College (where she herself is in her second year) to do better in regard to respecting the Appalachian “voice” and in refraining from the use of stereotypes in assessing student abilities and achievements based upon the Appalachian accent as it appears in speech and writing. 

Allie is studying Elementary Education at Berea, with hopes not only to teach but to one day become a school administrator. “My chosen major at Berea College is elementary education. I am studying elementary education because of my career objectives and aspirations. When I graduate, I want to become an elementary teacher. I plan to do this for several years, while I work to obtain my master's degree. I am unsure of what specifically I want to get my master's degree in, but I do want to obtain an administration position at a school. By being an elementary education major, I am able to receive the certification that will allow me to begin my career as a teacher,  and also will help prepare me for my future goals of administration. 

The Weatherford-Hammond Prize in Appalachian Literature was established by Dr. Willis D. Weatherford, Sr., and Mr. William A. Hammond to encourage students to read books about Appalachia and to promote the understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. It is awarded to the student who submitted the best essay or research paper relating to the Appalachian Region based on books and primary sources, particularly those from Hutchin's library's Special Collection & Archives and Weatherford-Hammond Mountain Collection."

Dr. Chris Green, director of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center had this to say. "Each year, The Weatherford-Hammond Prize in Appalachian Literature gives me the great pleasure to read Berea College student's essays about Appalachia that engage with books about the region and primary research, like the interviews Allie Marcum did for her research paper.  What stood out to me about Marcum's work was her skill in making an argument about how the words of everyday people, like the people she knows and loves back home, matter.  She will be the kind of public-school teacher that students will remember because she taught them to value and retain the words and stories of their elders."

Allie will receive a $300.00 monetary award for winning the Weatherford-Hammond prize. 

She is the daughter of Misty Powell and Tim Marcum, both of Jackson County. Her parents are beyond proud of all of Allies accomplishments. Her mother said of this award, “I am always proud of my daughter, but sometimes her abilities amaze me. She is a talented writer, and I am happy she is receiving the recognition for it.” 

Marcum said of the award, “ Winning this award means so much to me. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to contribute to Appalachian literature.

We are all proud of you Allie. Thank you for standing up for our Appalachian voice.