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May 13, 2009: Young Writers Contest Winners

 
Sierra Writers announced the winners of its 9th Annual Teen Short Story Contest Wednesday, May 13. After reading their stories aloud in the Madelyn Helling Library community room, winners were awarded $150, $125, and $100 for first, second, and third prize. Honorable Mentions were awarded $75 each.  All six awardees received a gift certificate to The Book Seller in Grass Valley.
 
The annual contest is open to all teens aged 15-19 years old that either reside or attend school in Nevada County.

From several dozen submissions, note the winners on the list of ten finalists in the 2009 Sierra Writers contest:

  • Stacey DeMartini, 18,“Habitual Hazards”
  • Ashley Haddy, 17, “An Unexpected Wedding” 
  • Catherine Henderson, 16, “Uncontrolled Factors”
  • Kelly Hoff, 16, “The Dove”  (FIRST PRIZE)
  • Helen Jordan, 17, “Icy Salvation” (Honorable Mention)
  • Jennifer Petersen, 18, “Rebecca Shaw’s Murder?” (THIRD PRIZE)
  • Megan Spindler, 17, “Lost” 
  • Tara Stafford, 17, “The Attack” (Honorable Mention)
  • Amy Sullivan, 17, “Tidings” (SECOND PRIZE)
  • Steven Tovar, 18, “Untitled” (Honorable Mention)
Third place winner, Jennifer Petersen, has already completed a novel.  Her awarded story was a murder mystery set almost 200 years ago.  Second place winner, Amy Sullivan, was prompted by a class assignment.  Her approach to addressing the issue of immigration was to write a science fiction story that expands the world of "illegal aliens." First place winner, Kelly Hoff, also wrote a contest winning story based on a class assignment.  She was not sure where the story she was writing would lead.  By following the truth of what the story could tell she wove to an unpredictable ending ... for the story and for her participation in Sierra Writers 9th Young Writers Contest.
 
Congratulations to all the finalists and all who submitted stories. The submission deadline for the 2010 contest is April 1.