LAKELAND, Fla. (Nov 21, 2005) — Three Florida Southern College students presented papers at the annual meeting of the Florida College English Association (FCEA) in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Nov. 3. The papers together constituted a conference panel, “Contemporary America and the film ‘Spellbound,’” chaired by Mary Pharr, professor of English. The three papers, chosen for presentation at a conference dedicated to the literary and cultural interests of teachers of college English (presenters are typically English professors), focused on the sociocultural and cinematic significance of Jeff Blitz’s award-winning documentary on the 1999 National Spelling Bee, “Spellbound.”

“These students represent the best of undergraduate research, both in work ethic and creative intellect,” said Pharr. “All three of them developed valid theses carefully supported by serious research and presented well in a professional forum. I’m really proud to know these young scholars.”

Raquel Encalada, junior theatre major and English minor, began the session with “And Then There Were Eight: Postmodern Cinematic Language in ‘Spellbound.” Her paper explored the filmmaker’s use of mystery-genre techniques to entice viewers into his portrayal of eight simultaneous narratives of American life. Diana Ngo, senior English major, commented on the film’s treatment of the relationship between socio-economics and education in postmodern America in her paper, “What’s the Last Word? ‘Spellbound’ on Money and Education in America.” Lindsay Ruhr, senior theatre major and English minor, addressed the film’s depiction of the role of family in a child’s intellectual growth in her paper, “In the Family We Trust: A Contemporary Documentary’s Presentation of American Interpersonal Dynamics.”

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.