The Department of English & Languages (ENLA), housed in Tarleton State University’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts, hosted its very first Spring Tomefoolery—an evening dedicated to student creativity and the joy of humor-themed writing. The event proved a resounding success, showcasing the vibrant talent and collaborative community at the heart of ENLA.
The evening featured fifteen student entries across poetry, prose, and written performance, with presenters stepping boldly into the spotlight. When a few writers were unable to attend, enthusiastic audience volunteers stepped in to share their work, highlighting the supportive, engaged community at Tarleton State.
Participation was strong, with an estimated 115 audience members in attendance. Notably, the crowd remained engaged throughout, creating a lively atmosphere from start to finish, complete with noisemakers, Groucho glasses, and an occasional flourish by a medieval trumpet. Spring Tomefoolery’s playful theme created a space for students to share their creativity and take risks, with strong support from both peers and faculty.
ENLA extends sincere thanks to the Student Engagement Committee: Ms. Jill Davis, Dr. Danielle Brady, Dr. Dylan Henderson, Dr. Elliot Jacobson, Dr. Elson Bond, and Ms. Janet Bell, whose dedication brought the event to life, along with the many faculty, staff, and volunteers who contributed to its success.
Recognition was given in each category with custom acrylic awards, including the whimsical “Shakespeare in the Tub” trophy and rubber duck runner-up prizes. Audience Choice winners received themed gift bags, and all honored student writers took home certificates. The introduction of a perpetual Audience Choice trophy ensures this year’s memories will live on in the ENLA department office.
2026 Spring Tomefoolery Awardees:
- Audience Choice: Gianmarco Castellanos, “El Drama y la Comedia”
- Runner-Up: Vincent Lopez, “Success”
- Best Original Poetry: Silouan Hipsh, “El Anti-Quijote”
- Runner-Up: Ashtyn Hansford, “Maybe We Will Never Know”
- Best Original Prose: Madolyn Ballard, “The Day the Sheriff Arrested a Chicken”
- Runner-Up: Paige Weinheimer, “Crops of Jupiter”
- Best Written Performance: Ariana Atwell, “Clothes, Noise, & Such” (Stand-up Comedy)
- Runner-Up: Benjamin Norris, “A Daughter’s Silenced Dreams” (Slam Poetry)
- Honorable Mentions: Jillian MacManus, Cielo Puerta, Ava Reese, Kayla Wilgus & Joanna Peterson, Gianmarco Castellanos, Vincent Lopez, Navalee White
The inaugural Spring Tomefoolery signals the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new tradition for the Department of English and Languages. ENLA looks forward to building on this momentum with upcoming events—including the Share Your Scare event this October.