Young Authors Contest 2006 Winners

HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 6, 2006) – The Young Authors Contest is sponsored by the Washington County Reading Council and the State of Maryland International Reading Association Council (SoMIRAC). One winning poem and one winning short story can be selected from the participating students from each grade level 2 through 12. The county contest winners are sent to the state for judging. This year Washington County had three winners at the state level. Anna Baldasarre, an eighth grader at Smithsburg Middle School, won first place for her short story. Elizabeth Kramer, an eighth grader at Northern Middle, won first place for her poem. Kate Sweeney, a sixth grader at Northern Middle School, won second place for her poem.

The chairpersons for the Young Authors Contest are the following Washington County teachers: Nancy Eccard, Eastern Elementary, Melissa Clowser, Northern Middle School, and Cathy Davidson, Clear Spring High School.

The following are the Washington County Young Authors Contest winners:

Elementary

Taylor Tracy - Poem - My Dog Kelly - Grade 2 - Fountaindale School for the Arts and Academic Excellence - Teacher, Mrs. Rodgers
Katelyn Muse - Short Story -Sometimes the Cat Can Be So Clever - Grade 2 - Greenbrier Elementary - Teacher, Mrs. Cupaiolo
Rebekah Hurwitz - Poem - When I Think of Fall - Grade 3 - Eastern Elementary - Teacher, Mrs. Taylor
Kaytie Wilkinson - Short Story - My Cat Simba - Grade 3 - Greenbrier Elementary - Teacher, Mrs. Shumaker
Elizabeth Scrivener - Poem - The Perfect Friend - Grade 4 - Greenbrier Elementary - Teacher, Mrs. Moser
Madeline Dunn - Short Story - The Talking Book - Grade 4 - Paramount Elementary - Teacher, Ms. Bogish
Adam Peters - Poem - The Seasons - Grade 5 - Greenbrier Elementary - Teacher, Ms. Kaminski
Samuel DeJesus - Short Story - All the Time You Need - Grade 5 - Paramount Elementary - Teacher, Mrs. Spickler

Middle School

Kate Sweeney - Poem - My Hero - Grade 6 - Northern Middle School - Teacher, Mrs. Mitchell
Abigail Clopper - Short Story - Fire Ember - Grade 6 - Springfield Middle - Teacher, Ms. Ruppenkamp
Laura M. Wagner - Poem - Moonlit Beach - Grade 7 - Northern Middle School - Teacher, Mrs. Tolerton
Anna Baldasarre - Short Story - Thanksgiving in Ohio - Grade 8 - Smithsburg Middle School - Teacher, Mrs. McCallion
Elizabeth Kramer - Poem - Your Bridge - Grade 8 - Northern Middle School - Teacher, Ms. Ward
Honorable Mention: Samantha Burnette - Poem - Night Gallop - Grade 8 - Smithsburg Middle School - Teacher, Mrs. McCallion

High School

Anastasia Greene - Poem - The Enchantment of Writing - Grade 12 - Williamsport High School - Teacher, Ms. Northcut-Craig

A banquet to honor the contest winners will be held on Friday, May 12, 2006 at the Four Points/Sheraton in Hagerstown. Author Chris Crutcher will be the guest speaker.