PENSACOLA, Fla. - Sawyer Martin, won first place at the University of West Florida Composition Program's ENC 1101 Essay Awards for his essay, "Racial Stereotyping Evident in Zach Snyder's 300."

Martin received a $250 Visa gift card from Pearson Publishers. He received the award and a certificate on Feb. 22 at the Composition Symposium.

Martin is the son of Terry and Stacey Martin, Panama City Beach, Fla., and the grandson of Donald and Maralyn Martin, Monroe.