Actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian acted out the winning stories from fifth and sixth grade authors at the ceremony on October 9 at the Palisades Library.
The annual summer youth writing contest winners were announced at a ceremony at the Palisades Library on October 9. The contest, with the theme “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to . .. ” opened in June and closed on September 5. Submissions were judged on creativity, originality, effort, plot and theme.
The top three stories in each of the categories were read/acted by professional actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludjian. “Writers” are generally thrilled to hear their words come alive and Jones and Kludjian joked they’ve been reading the winning stories “about 40 years.”
The event was extremely entertaining, as Jones and Kludjian dramatized and found humorous moments in each story.
The winners in the Scrawlers category (Grades 5 & 6) was Scarlett Taylor, who took first, and Ella Kervin, who took second. (Editor’s note: the stories are not edited, by reprinted as they were entered in the contest.)
A Voice of Encouragement
By SCARLETT TAYLOR
I’m never bored when I’m on my skateboard. The dirty white wheels tell a story– practicing a single trick dozens of times until I get it right. I was told I couldn’t do it, that I should try something more for a girl like me.
“What about gymnastics or ballet?” my teacher asked me. But I ignored her. I ignored the people and the voices in my head that were telling me to stop. To “be realistic.”
“It’s a phase,” my friend said when I started. A five-year phase? I don’t think so.
The voices in my head got louder, and I felt hopeless. But I stuffed those feelings down and acted strong. At least I tried to. And I kept going. My knee pads became a part of me. The skate park became my second home. I practiced everyday, deep in the zone. Nothing could stop me. Or so I thought.
And then I fell. Boom. There I was. Laying on the ground, stars spinning above me in the summer afternoon. I saw someone pointing at me and laughing, sticking out his finger. I could hear his muffled voice: “I knew she couldn’t do it.”
I felt my cheeks go hot and red. Once my dizziness lifted away, I could see that he was actually reaching out his hand to help me.
“Are you okay?” asked a boy. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I said as he pulled me up from the ground. “I’m Caleb,” he said. “I’ve seen you skating here. You’re pretty good.”
I knew he didn’t mean it. No one thinks I’m good. But I reluctantly pushed out a “thank you” and walked away. However, his compliment lingered in my head. I was not used to those words. Was he being genuine? Usually, fellow skaters only talk to me when they’re asking who I’m borrowing my board from. They can’t imagine a girl skating herself.
The next day, I went back to the skate park, bruises still on my knees. The first person I saw was Caleb. He seemed as if he was waiting for someone. Strange. And then a funny thing happened on the way toward him. We locked eyes and he nodded with a smile. I stepped onto my board with a boost of confidence. His words, “you’re pretty good,” still lingered in my head.
And I started to skate.
When I’m on my board, I feel like I’m flying. This time, I was soaring. “That was incredible!” Caleb shouted as I slowed to a stop. And I smiled because this time I knew he meant it.
“You know, Caleb added, “you were really born to be a skater.” And that was all it took. One person said I’m good enough.
One person made me feel like I could achieve my dream. One person made me believe in myself. And that one person overpowered all the people who told me I could never be a skater. A funny thing happens when someone believes in you.