‘Writing about the Arts’ Award Honors English 101 Student

The Ellie Stratman Award for Writing about the Arts was established last year in memory of KU undergraduate student Ellie Frances-Marie Stratman who passed away unexpectedly during her freshman year in 2021.

Ellie was described by her family as “a ball of energy” who “possessed a creative spirit,” having participated for many years in competitive dance. At the time of her passing, she was studying accounting and was enrolled in English 101 with instructor and graduate teaching assistant Meagen Youngdahl-Meyers.

After Ellie’s passing, Youngdahl-Meyers, in collaboration with Ellie’s family and the English Department, sought to honor her life through the development of an award for undergraduate students. Inspired by the last essay that Ellie wrote, a personal essay for English 101 on the communicative qualities of dance, the Ellie Stratman Award for Writing about the Arts recognizes a piece of writing on the arts for an undergraduate English course.

An excerpt from Ellie’s essay:

“People have unique ways of expression, influenced by their early experiences. Growing up, my second home was the dance studio. Starting at age three, I learned the grace and strictness of ballet and the grand leaps and swings of jazz. Although the styles have many differences, a character is required to bring them to life. Ballet taught me how to show my confidence and power while lyrical [dance] allowed me to move and release any happiness or sadness I was experiencing. Verbally communicating my feelings has always been difficult so dance was crucial in allowing regulation and letting some of my emotions into the open...

I would let my head full with emotions and thoughts control my body’s movements. It is not a natural exercise at first, but with time it felt more comforting than anything. I remember leaving school, my head feeling chaotic but not being able to articulate why... With dance, I would come to class and put the emotions into my movement, feeling the weight slowly lift off my shoulders... shifting through emotions in my head and allowing my frame to follow. The moment when your mind and body connect is one of the greatest feelings.”

This year, the inaugural recipient of the Ellie Stratman Award for Writing about the Arts was Clare Hawkins, for her essay “An Artist,” written for Professor Mary Klayder’s English 205 class.

If you are interested in making a donation to the Ellie Stratman Award for Writing about the Arts, email english@ku.edu.