Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has released the latest edition of “Absolute,” its annual literary and arts journal featuring the work of students, faculty, staff, and community members. The journal includes original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography, and visual art, and it is published by the Division of Arts, English, and Humanities.

“Absolute” has been published since 1972 and continues to highlight creative expression from across campus and the wider community. Student editors Elyas Anderson and Robert Butler led this year’s editorial process, reviewing submissions and providing feedback.

“The ‘Absolute’ is packed with a wide range of engaging material,” said Jeff Provine, “Absolute” faculty advisor and professor of English. “The visual art is some of the strongest we’ve seen, and choosing just one piece for the cover was difficult. ‘Magnolia Fever’ stood out — the eyes are what really won me over.”

The cover art, titled “Magnolia Fever,” was submitted by OCCC student Nierouz Alrashdan, a nursing major.

Top honors in the 2025 issue include:

Fiction

First place: Joseph Fontanilla, “The Golden Fish.”

Nonfiction

First place: Misty Munson, “Childhood Trauma & Mental Illness.”

Second place: Romeo Everfall, “Whispers of the Garden.”

Poetry

First place: Ashley Leopard, “Young Violence.”

Second place: Natalie Wilkins, “Mourning the Little Artist.”

Third place: Freedom Burns, “Back Home.”

Art

First place: Zoe Hawkins, “Veils of Obscurity Pts. 1–3.”

Second place: Ezequiel Montelongo, “All Seeing Eye.”

Third place: Sheree Greider, “How Legends Are Made.”

Honorable mention: Mads Demechko, “Muscle and Bone.”

Photography

First place: Trey Brite, “Steps Towards Light; an Inescapable Cause.”

Second place: Forrest Swanson, “Growth.”

Third place: Derek Trammell, “What Should I Say.”

Honorable mentions: Distant Simpson, “Downtown”; and Ariel Wigington, “Speaking Keys.”

New to this year, “Absolute” features the winning entries from the OCCC Keith Leftwich Memorial Library’s annual photography contest.

Library Photo Contest Winners:

Best in Show: Mariah Sotelo, “Fishing in the Dark.”

Best in OCCC: Emma N. Lauritzen, “Cypress Tree.”

Best in OKC: Izzy Federico, “In Motion.”

Best in Nature: Haley Williams, “Vast Beauty.”

Honorable Mention: Hiram Ophiohonren, “Eastern Redbud, The Herald of Spring.”

Honorable Mention: Colten Barbee, “Same Time, Different Day.”

Honorable Mention: Aaron Cruse, “The Spire For All To See.”

The full issue of “Absolute” is available online. Print copies of “Absolute” will be available in the campus bookstore.

To support creative work at OCCC, visit this page.