By Nick Feldman Spring 2009 Kaplan Award Winner Promptly at 5:45 p.m., a line that has formed every night for over 70 years begins to wrap around a weathered three-story brick building. A thin cross stands on the roof above the corner, silhouetted by rays of sunlight against a cloud-specked sky. A tall man in … Read More

By Molly Rosbach Spring 2009 Kaplan Award Winner Beth’s Café on Aurora Avenue in Seattle is not your typical neighborhood diner. If you’re looking for a friendly welcome or an inviting atmosphere, chances are, you’ll be disappointed. Beth’s employees pride themselves on intimidating unwitting customers, escorting them to their seats with a scowl and often … Read More

By Aislyn Greene Spring 2009 Kaplan Award Winner Noam and I arrived in Chicago on the night of the Seder, a ritualistic meal thatushers in the first day of Passover, or Pesach. On the drive from the airport to Highland Park, an upscale Jewish suburb an hour northwest of the city, Noam’s stepfather, Steve, filled … Read More

By Reed Summers Spring 2009 Kaplan Award Winner We close our door and step into the hallway – darkness. Fumbling with the key I feel for the lock and, finding, twist round and round to bring the triple deadbolt to its end. We feel our way along the wall until we locate the first step … Read More

By Samantha Pak Spring 2008 Kaplan Award Winner She stared at the computer screen. The light tap, tap, tap of the keyboard filled the room as she watched the cursor fly across the opened Microsoft Word document. Unfortunately, it flew in the wrong direction—to the left instead of to the right. She could hear Beyoncé’s voice chiming … Read More

By Tiffany Wan Spring 2008 Kaplan Award Winner When he was 10 years old, Greg Wylie began having a series of vivid dreams. His grade school crush, Vickie, lived down the road from him. To Greg she was perfect, the epitome of everything girly, and he adored her. For two weeks he had the same … Read More

By Daniel Nelson Spring 2008 Kaplan Award Winner I’m intrigued by the short woman a few yards away. Over weathered dark blue slacks and coat, she wears a camo hat and small green backpack that seem to me vaguely elvish. I would guess that she’s within a decade of her late fifties and probably an … Read More

By Laura ONeill Spring 2007 Kaplan Award Winner The first time I met Rocio Contreras I was waiting to begin my first shift at a new job, a café downtown that is owned by a large corporation. I got there 20 minutes early and as I sat in the early morning light, I felt too … Read More

By Julia Rice Spring 2007 Kaplan Award Winner Females just sit there and think about the stupidest things. They get emotional when they don’t need to be. They have boobs and hips and can devour an amazing amount of food. They analyze the facts, but what’s worse is they analyze their feelings. They will analyze … Read More

By Julia Rice Spring 2007 Kaplan Award Winner Brad, the Top-Top manager doesn’t like anybody’s shoes. According to the official Barnes and Noble Bookseller Handbook baristas must wear solid black or white tucked-in shirts, black pants or skirt, an apron, and closed-toe shoes. After the first month, Brad finally noticed my black canvas shoes that … Read More