Many GR young authors receive awards

Young authors put their most precious stories out there for others to judge.

In the end, more than 100 authors from Sweetwater County School District No. 2 submitted entries for the 2017 Young Authors Awards program. Each year, students across the state are invited to write fiction, nonfiction and poetry for the competition.

Fredrick “Steve” Schwartz, District No. 2 young authors coordinator, said the number of entries was comparable to what the district has received in other years.

“Fiction always has the most entries. Whether it is because fiction is easier to write or just more fun, I am not sure,” Schwartz said. “However, this year was a banner year for nonfiction and poetry and our entries are almost equal to fiction.”

Regardless of the category, all of the entries were judged on a writing rubric, including ideas, conventions, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and presentation.

“With that being said, content means a lot too,” Schwartz said. “You can have a perfectly written story, but if it is dull or nonsensical, all the correct grammar in the world won’t save it.”Schwartz received the entries from all of the schools and then he and a group of judges went through them to pick out the first, second and third-place winners. Those who received first-place moved onto the Sweetwater County Young Authors Awards competition to compete against Rock Springs schools for a chance to go to state. Schwartz works with Rock Springs representatives to pick the county winners.

“I then get together with the other county coordinators and we compare our entries and decide on winners,” Schwartz said. “We try to make it as objective as possible, but let’s face it, writing will always be subjective. I may like horror or adventure stories, while someone else likes love stories. That is why the more eyes we can put on the papers, the better.”  

He said District No. 2 had 31 entries move onto the county level. Of those, 17 advanced to state. The state winners will be announced sometime in May.

“This is an excellent representation for Green River considering our small population compared to other towns,” Schwartz said.

Even if a student didn’t take first place, it doesn’t mean they should be discouraged.

“Writing is a tremendous boost of confidence because, second only to public speaking, writing seems to be one of our societies most feared endeavors. I cannot tell you how many times I hear people, even adults, say that they cannot write,” Schwartz said. “Well, what is the best way to overcome a fear or master a task? Practice. Sure, you’re not going to sound like Stephen King on your first attempt just like you are not going to be able to bench press 200 pounds the first time you work out, but with practice and conditioning, your skill will grow along with your confidence.”

The art of writing is something Schwartz would like to see remain strong in this country. Even as times and interests change, writing is something that will also be useful.

“It is important for students to learn to write a story because our entire society revolves around it. Communicating ideas is the single most important skill people need to learn, and that includes technical writing as well,” he said. “Dating all throughout human history, storytelling has been used to convey ideas, impart morals, draft laws, issue warnings, inform the public and entertain.”

He said all basic forms of communication used today, whether it be movies, mathematical story problems, architectural design, science and physics require a person to use the written word.

“Whether you are writing an allegory or computer code, it is a story of some kind,” he said. “Communication is and always will be the heart of a civilized society, and being able to convey those ideas via writing will always be the backbone.”  

This is why handing out awards to students who took the time to put their feelings on paper is so important to Schwartz.

“I guess I would just like to say that people should celebrate the bravery these students put forth,” Schwartz said. “Sure, sports are celebrated with great exuberance, as they should be, but the ability to write and the courage to let people judge your psyche should be celebrated with equal enthusiasm.”  

 

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