Local Students Show Off Their Creativity in Library Contest

The results are in for the . Creative teenage artists and writers exhibited their talents through original poetry, short story, drawing and photography. 

“Every year we are amazed and impressed at the stunning writing and art from teenagers,” said Neel Parikh, executive director for Pierce County Library. “We are honored to encourage and promote these promising and talented students to demonstrate their abilities and continue their creative efforts.”

Between Jan. 23 and March 2, students submitted 1,233 poems, short stories, drawings and photographs in the contest. Volunteers, including Library staff and Pierce County Library Foundation Board members, reviewed the entries. Poet Kristin McHenry and author Randall Platt selected this year’s writing winners, evaluating originality, style, general presentation, grammar, spelling and evidence of skill appropriate for the writer’s age.

Photographer Alexa King and artist Lucy Schwartz selected the art winners, based on composition, evidence of skill commensurate with the age of the artist, creativity and effective use of media.

The winning authors and artists will showcase their work at a free public event, at Pacific Lutheran University, Lagerquist Concert Hall, on Thursday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Pierce County Library Foundation will award the winners with cash prizes.

Poetry Winners

Grades 7-8:

1st—Marin Malich, Gig Harbor
2nd—Taylor Holland, Graham
3rd—Penny Mae Rhines, University Place

Grades 9-10:

1st—Hailey Maher, Gig Harbor
2nd—Jocelyn Gonzales, Steilacoom
3rd—Breanna Forrest, Tacoma

Grades 11-12:

1st—Noelle Oppenhuizen, Gig Harbor
2nd—Renee Taylor, Lakewood
3rd—Amber Roley, Puyallup

Short Story Winners

Grades 7-8:

1st—Matt Patterson, University Place
2nd—Stephanie Davis, Puyallup
3rd—Meghan Tiffany Low, Puyallup

Grades 9-10:

1st—Delaney Adix, Gig Harbor
2nd—Anne Gaspers, Vashon Island
3rd—Isabel Anderson, Anderson Island

Grades 11-12:

1st—Kaley Kiermayr, DuPont
2nd—Amanda Gordon, Fox Island
3rd—Tamala Aown, Fircrest

Photography Winners

Grades 7-8:

1st—Alyssa Metcalf, Gig Harbor
2nd—Dallas Martin, Tacoma
3rd—Breonna Rose, Gig Harbor

Grades 9-10:

1st—Emilie Webb, Gig Harbor
2nd—Hannah Squires, DuPont
3rd—Molly MacKinnon, Gig Harbor

Grades 11-12: 

1st—Katherine Meikle, Steilacoom
2nd—Jazmine Horne, Tacoma
3rd—Savanna Soukey, Spanaway

Drawing Winners

Grades 7-8:

1st—Sydney Paulsen, Puyallup
2nd—Byron White, Tacoma
3rd—Alicia Shulz, Gig Harbor

Grades 9-10:

1st—Lexy Hobson, University Place
2nd—Jesse MacKinnon, Gig Harbor
3rd—Molly MacKinnon, Gig Harbor

Grades 11-12:

1st—Kayla Wyatt, Bonney Lake
2nd—Tamala Aown, Fircrest
3rd—Amanda Franz, Bonney Lake

See the winning entries at http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/teens/teen-writing-art and copies of the booklet at Pierce County Libraries and the winning students’ school libraries, after May 24.