Six Sweetwater County students were honored when they learned they had placed at the Wyoming Young Authors Competition.
The county students receiving the awards were told by their schools after both school districts’ young authors coordinators were notified.
Thirty eight entries were sent to state this year from Sweetwater County and of those, six students received awards. One student at Lincoln Middle School received two.
“The students were ecstatic,” Fredrick Schwartz, Sweetwater County School District No. 2 young authors coordinator, said.
“While we did do well in the state competition this year, we did have fewer place than last year,” he said. “With that being said, I am especially proud of our first-place winners.”
Schwartz said the winners not only show the dedication of the young authors, but their supports systems.
“I am especially grateful for the parents and teachers in the community and the role they played in the successes. Teachers are instrumental in making young authors aware of the competition, the deadlines and requirements, but that is not all they do,” he said.
“I cannot emphasize enough the inspiration and encouragement teachers exert over students. Many students look to teachers for approval and for validation. Nothing can turn a vacillating student into a confident one like the affirmation of a teacher.”
Even though the teachers are a great source of support, the students also need support from their parents.
“As for parents, their nurturing and motivation allow for all of this to happen,” Schwartz said. “Parents are often the gateway for talent, and for parents to allow that talent to flourish is testament to their devotion to not just their offspring, but to the community as well.”
The quality of the entries was phenomenal this year, he said. He and the other judges had a great time evaluating the entries at the county level.
“We would often laugh out loud when remembering an amusing element of a story, or disagree vehemently over a infinitesimal detail that would determine the difference between first and second place,” he said. “Young Authors is an emotional competition.”
Schwartz, who is an English teacher at LMS, knows all to well the heart and soul students put into their writing.
The state competition is getting tougher every year and it is judged in a professional, expedient way by dedicated servants who take free time out of their busy schedules to keep the competition going.
“I would just like to add that I am amazed and impressed by not just the entries received, but by the young authors themselves,” he said.
“These young authors truly represent the best the future has to offer.”
2018 Wyoming State Young Authors Official Results
First Grade
Poetry
Honorable Mention
“Beans, Bananas and Games,” by Miles Kreis, Jackson Elementary School,
Fifth Grade
Poetry
First place
“My Family, My Heaven,” by Lily Harris, Monroe Intermediate School
Seventh Grade
Poetry
Honorable Mention
“We All Have Our Battles,” by Alaina Kothe, Rock Springs Junior High School
Eighth Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention
“The Matches,” by Allison Brown, LMS,
Nonfiction
First place
“A Beautiful New Smile,” by Allison Brown, LMS,
10th Grade
Nonfiction
First Place
“Uncle,” by Celeste Keelin, Rock Springs High School
11th Grade
Poetry
First Place
A Fading Smile, by Rheanna Fuller, RSHS
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