Winning writers!
Congratulations to local students who took part in KidsWrite, the 2019 Young Writers’ Contest, sponsored by the Shuswap Association of Writers.
The contest, which is open only to youth who live in the SD83 and SD22 (Vernon) areas, has categories for story, poetry, and Haiku.
One of the organizers, Karen Bissendon reports Falkland Elementary was the most winning elementary school and Salmon Arm Secondary the winner in the middle/secondary school category.
“We had a tremendous response from Falkland, particularly due to the enthusiasm of teacher Monique Richoux and at SAS, teacher Shawn Bird was the enthusiastic promoter there.”
Poetry 5 – 8
1st Jemma Poirier (Falkland), 2nd Claire Russett (Falkland), 3rd Kaden Rennie (Falkland)
Story 5 – 8
1st John Osborn, 2nd Cadence Oschipok (South Broadview), 3rd Elias Neaustaeter (home school)
Poetry 9 – 11
1st Sissi Ouyang (Bastion), 2nd Riley Belec (Silver Creek), 3rd Samantha Tyler (Falkland)
Story 9 – 11
1st Keegan Millard (South Canoe), 2nd Claire Henry (Bastion), 3rd Jaden Karmali (South Canoe)
Haiku 6 – 10
1st Luke Abel (Falkland), 2nd Jaelynn Gillman (Falkland), 3rd Lucy Sanchez (Falkland)
Poetry 12 – 14
1st Devyn Hughes (Shuswap Middle School), 2nd Alexander Rotering, 3rd Petra Simpson (SUS)
Story 12 – 14
1st Abigal Osborn (Homeschool), 2nd Petra Simpson (SUS TUS), 3rd Angel Loseth (SUS)
Haiku 11 – 14
1st Devyn Hughes (SMS), 2nd Jaelyn Gillman (Falkland), 3rd Jasmin Richoux (Falkland)
Poetry 15 – 18
Carissa Harasym (SAS), Ashly Bakema (SAS), 3rd Georgia Nitchie (SAS)
Story 15 – 18
1st Carissa Harasym, 2nd Natalie Wilkie (SAS), 3rd Holly Bartels (SAS)
Bissendon noted all categories had two judges, and it was all blind judging. “We’d like to throw out the challenge to other schools to encourage their students. They received personalized journals, an “I Am a Writer Pen, a cash prize, and excellent recognition at the Awards Day event when they present their creative writing.”
The Shuswap Association of Writers celebrates the written word, and encourages writers of all ages. This is the 13th year of the contest. The contest opens again in January. Important guidelines are online at www.shuswapassociationofwriters.ca