Writing contest winners (not pictured are Anabelle Miller and Charlene Hatley) Top row: Emmaline Prettyman, Ethan Richardson, Jennifer Sinclair Middle row: Aubrey Longly Bottom row: Easton Brittain, Henry Hatley, Cheyenne Flugel
Photo Provided By: Shani Hunsaker
Deer Park Home Link recently held their annual writing contest. Students from 3rd – 12th grade participated in writing short narratives.
Narrative writing is not only a creative outlet but an essential part of developing a strong command of the English language. To incentivize writing, Deer Park Home Link held their annual writing contest. Kids from 3rd through 12th grade participated by submitting their best 1,000 word narrative story.
Fourteen kids participated this year. Previous years have seen as many as 25 writers competing.
“This is my 5th year organizing the contest,” said event coordinator Shani Hunsaker. “This is the first year I have asked for Home Link family businesses to sponsor the contest. I would love to see that continue.” Because of the sponsorships, contest winners were able to take home bigger prizes than before. Hunsaker hopes the prizes will encourage more kids to write.
Each story was judged anonymously by multiple non-biased judges using the six-trait writing standards:
- Ideas
- Organization
- Word Choice
- Sentence Fluency
- Voice
- Conventions (grammar and punctuation)
The judges graded each trait and then included thoughts about what the writer did well and what might need improvement.
“I consistently get comments from parents,” Hunsaker states, “that they appreciate the process of their kids getting constructive feedback from the judges. I love my judges!”
The stories ranged in genre, style, and skill level. This year’s winners are as follows:
3rd-5th Grade
- 1st Place: Henry Hatley – “The Dog I Once Lost”
- 2nd Place: Easton Brittain – “Moore Or Les”
- 3rd Place: Cheyenne Flugel – “The First Kids on Mars”
6th-8th Grade
- 1st Place: Charlene Hatley – “Don’t Sit Back: A Story of World War II”
- 2nd Place: Anabelle Miller – “Hurricane Michael”
- 3rd Place: Aubrey Longly – “The Bishop”
9th-12th Grade
- 1st Place: Ethan Richardson – “Fallout”
- 2nd Place: Emmaline Prettyman – “The Girl Named Friendship”
- 3rd Place: Jennifer Sinclair – “The Glass Princess”
Congratulations to all the young writers who took on this challenge.
Shani Hunsaker would like to thank this year’s business sponsors, Empire Roof Coatings, Dewnorth Aviation, and Hiatt Services, for their generous donations. Winners took home cash and gift prizes for their excellent work.
Also appreciated were the judges who took the time to read, assess and comment on the submissions.
