The winners of the Friends of the Library Contest were announced by President Laura Schroeder and Contest chair Kathy Slattery.
Photo: Rich Schmitt
The annual summer youth writing contest winners have been announced. This year there will be two events to celebrate the winners: one for teens and one for students in first through sixth grade.
The contest, with the theme “The Best Day” opened in June and closed on September 5. Submissions were judged on creativity, originality, effort, plot and theme.
The top three entries in five grade categories (1-2; 3-4; 5-6; 7-8; and high school) won gift certificates to Diesel Books: $250 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third. The contest was open to all residents of Los Angeles or for those who attend a school in Los Angeles.
For teen writers, grades seven through senior in high school, there will be bobas and snacks from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, at the Palisades Branch Library. The teen library council will be on hand for the awards.
TEEN AWARDS:
GRADES 7 & 8:
First place went to Sebastian Corman (New West Charter) for Farm Days. Second place went to Alexander Vari (Brentwood School) for River Rafting Adventure. Third went to Noah Benharash (Paul Revere Charter Middle School) for A Pirate Story.
HIGH SCHOOL:
This age saw tough competition with Casey Scaduto (Palisades Charter High School) winning with The Best Day Ever. Second place went to James Corman (Harvard-Westlake for The Journey Home. James Marks (Milken Community School) took third with The Best Day: Brrring Thud Slam.
CHILDRENS’ AWARDS:
Children’s awards will start with pizza, salad and desert at 5:30 p.m. that same day, October 12. The awards, which will include a performance of the winning stories, will follow at 6 p.m.
Honorees are invited to bring family and friends to either or both events but are asked to RSVP to friends@friendsofpalilibrary.org by October 5, to ensure there is enough food and refreshments.
GRADES 1 & 2:
First place went to Splat of a Day by Jack Kervin (Palisades Charter Elementary School).
GRADES 3 & 4:
Ella Kervin (Palisades Charter Elementary School) took first with A Symphony of Heroes: The Battle to Save Queen Condor. Second place went to William Vari (Carthorp School), for 4th of July in the Palisades. Third went to Dylan Tierney UCLA Lab School) for Our Very Own Yes Day.
GRADES 5 & 6:
Rohan Mukhopadhyay (Paul Revere Charter School) took first with The Best Worst Birthday. Second went to Hudson Marks (Seven Arrows) for The Worst, I Mean Best Day. Adelaide Griffin-Matlow (St. Matthew’s) took third for Penniless Heroes.
To find out more about the Friends of the Library and how to join, click here.
Thanks, Sue, for announcing the Creative Writing Contest awards. The ceremony is unique, with dramatic readings by professional actors of the student winners’ submissions. And this year: a separate event for teens. Thank you to the Friends who volunteer to support young writers, and to our library with a supportive staff and a lovely space to host this event.