Natalie Reese McCoy, a J. Ollie Edmunds Scholar, Honors Scholar and Sullivan Writing Scholar, received the 2026 Student Award for Literary Excellence from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

An English Major with minors in Music, Philosophy and Creative Writing, McCoy was recognized during the annual President’s Book Awards dinner in Lake Buena Vista. Her submission included poetry and lyrics.

“I’ve been in love with literature all of my life,” McCoy said. “I’ve been writing as long as I can remember.”

A junior who will graduate in 2028, McCoy is the executive editor of Touchstone, Stetson’s student-run literary arts journal, and a staff writer for The Reporter, Stetson’s student-run journalism publication. She is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society at Stetson, and Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society for Philosophers.

“My ultimate goal is to become a professor of literature,” she said. “I hope to apply to a PhD program right after my undergraduate degree. I want to help shape minds.”

“I also love to write poetry,” she added with a smile. “I’m curious about a lot of things.”

McCoy serves as a worship leader at City Awakening Church. “I see musical storytelling as a form of worship. I’m interested in the intersection of music and literature,” she said.

FAPA’s Student Award for Literary Excellence is open to any full-time undergraduate or graduate student registered at a college or university in the state of Florida, or any Florida resident attending an in-state or out-of-state accredited college or university as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. 

Applicants should be pursuing a degree in writing, publishing or a related field, such as Communications, English, Journalism, Creative Writing, Book Design, Library Science, Illustration or Poetry. Submissions for the 2027 award open in October on the association’s website.

“McCoy’s academic accomplishments, writing skills and talent as a poet and lyricist are commendable,” said Anne Jacob, president of FAPA. “I welcome her to the FAPA community and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

–Renee Garrison