����ֱ��

����ֱ�� student Cally Gudroe (Communications and Media Arts, ’28) has been awarded the Mille Fontaines Best Literary Prize for her poem, “House of Green,” published in , the literary magazine of The American College of the Mediterranean in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Gudroe wrote the poem while enrolled in a poetry course taught by Jesse Miller, M.F.A., associate teaching professor of writing and communications, during the Fall 2025 semester. The work later took on new meaning during her semester abroad in Aix-en-Provence, one of ����ֱ��’s international partner locations.

Rooted in memories of her family home and upbringing in rural Maine, “House of Green” explores themes of identity, belonging, and connection to place.

“I was fortunate to grow up in a place filled with life, not only in the greenery surrounding our home, but in the people, laughter, wisdom, and memories that shaped me,” said Gudroe, of Garland, Maine. “This poem is more than a recollection of a place or experience: It is a reflection of my identity and the values that guide my life. I think there is something special and beautiful in that, and so I felt compelled to write it down.”

While studying in southern France, Gudroe said she gained a deeper appreciation for those themes through coursework and cultural experiences that examined identity, migration, history, and community across the Mediterranean region.

“My experience in Aix-en-Provence reinforced the idea that home is not always a single place,” she reflected. “Home can be found wherever people, values, and a sense of belonging exist.”

Gudroe said the experience broadened her understanding of the world and introduced new possibilities for her future career. In addition to her longstanding interests in journalism and sports broadcasting, she developed an interest in cultural preservation, museums, and community storytelling.

“I hope to use my communication, writing, and history background to help share those stories and create connections between people and cultures in authentic and meaningful ways,” she said.

The opportunity reflects ����ֱ��’s longstanding commitment to global education. Roughly one-third of ����ֱ�� students participate in at least one global experience during their time at the University, while nearly one in five complete a semester abroad. Among students graduating this year from ����ֱ��’s College of Arts and Sciences, 44% participated in a global experience.

Gudroe's award is the latest milestone in a college career defined by pursuing opportunities both on and off campus. Since arriving at ����ֱ��, she has served as a Community News Fellow, worked as a social media intern, contributed to sports broadcasts, and participated in documentary filmmaking projects across Maine. As a first-year student, she was also recognized with the prestigious Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship for her commitment to community-centered storytelling.

Miller said Gudroe’s success reflects both her talent and dedication to her craft.

“We all knew Cally had something special,” he said. “She continued pushing her work to another level, and the result speaks for itself.”

For Gudroe, the recognition provides encouragement as she continues to develop as a writer.

“Knowing that others connected with my work gave me confidence,” she said. “If a reader sees a piece of their own story reflected in mine, then the poem has accomplished something meaningful.”