<p>CHESTERTOWN, Md. &mdash; A student from Delaware has won the nation’s largest undergraduate literary prize.</p>
<p>Washington College announced Friday that Justin Nash, 22, of Smyrna won the Sophie Kerr Prize, which is worth $65,580 this year. The prize named for an Eastern Shore writer is awarded each year to the graduating senior demonstrating the best potential for future achievement in a literary endeavor, school officials said. Nash was one of six finalists this year. </p>
<p>The English major with three minors has served as editor-in-chief of campus literary magazines and journals. He was the vice president of the campus Writers’ Union and has interned in publishing. He hopes to become an editor with a nonprofit publishing press one day. </p>
<p>The Wilmington News Journal <a href="https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2021/05/25/raised-farm-delaware-college-senior-just-won-nations-largest-literary-prize/5181524001/">reports </a> that Nash, who grew up on a farm in Smyrna, focuses on subjects like rural life, death and desire. </p>
<p>“I do owe that to how I was raised and where I was raised,” Nash said.</p>
<p>His portfolio, Prestidigitate, examines travel, childhood and conceit through poems, stories and essays. </p>
<p>“Justin grasps the power of writing to move the world, one thoughtful and witty and well-edited line at a time,” said Sean Meehan, chair of the college’s Department of English at the college. </p>
<p>Nash doesn’t remember exactly when he started writing, but said his passion was fueled by a creative writing club formed by his fifth-grade teacher, James McGuigan. </p>
<p>Nash plans to put the money toward graduate school, to pursue an Master of Fine Art in poetry. </p>