Last weekend, students from BYU-Idaho presented essays, poetry and fiction at the 21st annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference at Weber State University. Students from all across the United States attended the conference.

The conference was great,” said Erika Young, a senior from Baldwin City, Kan. “It’s such a unique experience to be able to meet with and discuss ideas with college students from all around the United States.”

The students from BYU-I were able to associate with students from Westminster College, Pacific University, California State University, Louisiana State University, York College, University of Maine, Notre Dame University, and BYU, among others.

I have to admit that we stood out in a good way,” said David Hunt, a senior from Rexburg. “We were obviously a ‘nice’ group of kids. We cleaned up well and our writing didn’t depend on gratuitous obscenity or sexuality for shock value -— not that everyone else’s did either.”

Hunt presented a prize-winning essay on John Steinbeck’s Chrysanthemums that will be featured in this year’s edition of Outlet (an annual student publication).

The conference also featured a number of best-selling authors, including Alice Sebold, author of Lovely Bones. A number of readings and Q&A sessions allowed students to learn from these writers and interact with them.

“I thought the authors presenting this year were exceptional,” said Joshua Foster, a senior from Rigby, Idaho. “I especially appreciated the background and age of [the authors].”

Foster presented his first-place short story, “Anselmo Picks up Rocks,” which will also be presented in this year’s Outlet.

Overall, the students seemed pleased with the conference and their Weber State performance. “BYU-I always represents well,” Foster said. “This was my second year attending, and both years I have been impressed with the quality of work from BYU-I students, as well as their presentation skills and overall demeanor.”