Library Awards Young Harrison Authors

From fish and eggs to berries and pickles, the main characters in the award-winning short stories submitted from young Harrison authors to this year's story writing contest were all unique and interesting in their own way.

The winners of the ninth annual writing contest were awarded a trophy or certificate for their works submitted this spring. Young authors were asked to submit a short story of their choosing for the contest.

Andy Rayburn, who finished in first place in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade group, chose to write about a monkey looking for a new house after his burnt down. The short story is about one monkey taking the advice of the "wise monkey", while his brother chose not to.

The brother monkey ends up swept down the river, having to start from scratch.

"Don't give into temptations," Andy explained as the moral of the story.

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Now in his third year participating in the contest, Andy said he likes entering his stories because having a place to send his finished work is motivation to see his ideas through.

"I enjoy writing," he said, explaining his favorite topics are mystery and fantasy. "It's fun to write for something."

Ten young authors ended up bringing home awards for their work this year. Bonnie Tjomstol, who recently took over as the library's head of children's services, judged the contest and said she was looking for character development, coherent story lines and, of course, effort.

"It was hard to judge because they were all so wonderful," she said. "They caught my attention, every single one of them."

Harrison Library Director Galina Chernykh helped host the trophy presentation and said she was thrilled that almost all of the winners made it to the ceremony. She said the program is part of a catalog of events the library hosts to stimulate creativity and thought for young students.

The idea of writing also ties in nicely with the library itself.

"Who knows," she said. "Maybe in the future we'll have their books in the library."

This Year's Winners Were:

K-1

• Jessica Pein
• Leah Dennis

2nd-3rd Grade

• Megan R Dennis
• Gabby Streeter
• Talia Tammero

4th, 5th and 6th Grade

• Andy Rayburn
• Phoebe Streeter
• Sofia Goldstein