State award-winners announced

Green River students who participated in the Wyoming State Young Authors competition were eagerly waiting for the results since April.

The wait came to an end last week when the state winners were announced to the schools, Karen Price, young author coordinator for Sweetwater County School District No. 2 said.

The 24 Green River entries that took first-place at the Sweetwater County Young Authors competition were sent to the state competition, of those, 11 came back from state with awards.

“I am incredibly proud of the success of the students who participated at every level of the program,” Price said.

Price said young author coordinators from all over the state judged the entries.

“I believe the number of Green River students both participating and placing at the state level indicates that writing is being taught well and encouraged in our Green River schools,” Price said. “The parents are also very supportive of their kids’ participation. Also, the district’s support of the program is extremely helpful.”

Price said she was proud of how well the Green River schools did at the competition.

“Green River schools are second to none in my opinion,” she said.

Price believes this program is a great incentive to students.

“I think more students will be encouraged to write in the future. This is especially true when siblings and friends have been honored for their writing,” she said. “The program gets a little better and a little more successful every year.”

This competition shows students how important writing is.

“Every profession will involve writing at some point,” she said. “Students need to be able to communicate through the written word.”

This is not the only way story telling can be used for.

“Generations of stories can be passed on through writing,” Price said. “The family lore of these students is really a legacy to future generations.”

Green River Wyoming State Young Author winners

First grade

Fiction

First place: “Dino Brothers: Sports All-Stars” by Benjamin Maggi, Washington Elementary School

Second grade

Poetry

Honorable Mention: “A Few of My Favorite Things” by Nate Bailey, Harrison Elementary School

Fifth grade

Poetry

First place: “Colors of the World” by Allison Brown, Monroe Intermediate School

Fifth grade

Fiction

Honorable Mention: “Nature’s Walk” by Amy Vander Linden, Monroe Intermediate School

Sixth grade

Poetry

Honorable Mention: “The Welcome Horne and other Poems” by Trenton Dowley, Monroe Intermediate School

Seventh grade

Nonfiction

First place: “0.7%” by Laura Patterson, Lincoln Middle School

Eighth grade

Nonfiction

Honorable Mention: “England Comes to Wyoming” by Mary Harris, Lincoln Middle School

Ninth grade

Fiction

Honorable Mention: “The Decision” by Gregory Marchal, Green River High School

10th grade

Nonfiction

Honorable Mention: “Agitation is Key” by Brianna Rath, Green River High School

10th grade

Fiction

First place: “The Wolf in the Woods” by Lacey Hart, Green River High School

12th grade

Nonfiction: “No Hope” by Kori Lamb, Green River High School