Young Authors' Contest Winners

HAGERSTOWN, MD (January 25, 2005) - Middle school student winners in the annual Young Authors’ Contest have been announced by Washington County Public Schools. The competition is sponsored by the State of Maryland International Reading Association Council (SoMIRAC), with local involvement by the Washington County Reading Council. All entries were scored by WCPS Secondary Student Achievement Specialists.

Grade 6

• Poetry – Kayla Anderson – Smithsburg Middle – “Those Who Listen”
• Short Story – James Firestein – Clear Spring Middle – “Opposite House”

Grade 7

• Poetry – Elizabeth Kramer – Northern Middle – “Broken Dreams”
• Short Story – Anna Baldasarre – Smithsburg Middle – “Lexie’s Story”

Grade 8

• Poetry – Katherine Mittag – Smithsburg Middle – “Baby Blue is the Thought of Living Happily Ever After”
• Short Story – Laurel Keys – Springfield Middle – “Princess of the Night”

Honorable Mentions:

Grade 6

• Poetry – Brooke Miles, Clear Spring Middle; Laura Wagner, Northern Middle

Grade 7

• Poetry – Libby Henry, Boonsboro Middle; Evan Dennis, Smithsburg Middle; Laura Bell, Northern Middle

The county winners will be honored at the Washington County Reading Council’s spring banquet. State winners will be announced on February 26, 2005.