Brian Cook, Eastern Shore Literacy Association’s Chairperson of the Young Authors’ Contest, expressed his admiration for the contestants, “It is truly inspiring to witness the depth of creativity and expression these young authors bring to their work. Their contributions underscore the critical role that literacy and creative writing play in shaping thoughtful, engaged members of our community.”

SoMLA extends its congratulations to all the finalists for their remarkable achievements:

Grade 1, Poetry:

• Phoebe Blanco, “Young Authors Contest,” South Shore Elementary, Crownsville, MD, Anne Arundel County Literacy Association
• Jiya Kothari, “I Love My Sister,” Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County Literacy Chapter

Grade 1, Short Story:

• Remi McGown, “Unicorn in My Closet,” St. John’s Lane Elementary, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County Literacy Chapter
• Miles Vocke, “Loose Tooth at the Beach,” Buckingham Elementary, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Association

Grade 2, Poetry:

• Zoe Lane, “My Family,” Waterloo Elementary, Columbia, MD, Howard County Literacy Chapter
• Quinn Westbrook, “The Beach,” Buckingham Elementary, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Association

Grade 2, Short Story:

• Aubrey Johnson, “Lillian and the Book Villain,” Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County
• Emery Reynolds, “The Bird’s Party,” Grasonville Elementary, Grasonville, MD, Upper Shore Literacy Chapter.

Grade 3, Poetry:

• Anna Behrendt, “Treehouse,” Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Suravi Poudyal, “Nature,” Emmorton Elementary, Bel Air, MD, Harford County Literacy Association

Grade 3, Short Story:

• Preston Fodel, “Hope Gets Lost,” Emmorton Elementary, Bel Air, MD, Harford County Literacy Association
• Iracema Resendiz, “Wolfy,” Chesapeake City Elementary, Chesapeake City, MD, Cecil County Literacy Association

Grade 4, Poetry:

• Henry McCabe, “Always Art,” Kennard Elementary, Centreville, MD, Upper Shore Literacy Association
• Joshua VonSteuben, “Your Brain Can Grow,” Rising Sun Elementary, Rising Sun, MD, Cecil County Literacy Association

Grade 4, Short Story:

• Alice Cannon, “The Cloaked Trickster,” Manor Woods Elementary, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County Literacy Association.
• Eloise Coningsby, “Mother of Mississippi,” Bel Air Elementary, Bel Air, MD, Harford County Literacy Association

Grade 5, Poetry:

• Julianna Martinez, “Feeling Blue,” Churchville Elementary, Churchville, MD, Harford County Literacy Association
• Lily Price, “Watercolor Sunrise,” Jones Elementary, Severna Park, MD, Anne Arundel County Literacy Association

Grade 5, Short Story:

• Katelyn Barber, “Stuck in Time,” Gorman Crossing Elementary, Laurel, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Breanna Ortiz, “Scrabble,” Piney Orchard Elementary, Odenton, MD, Anne Arundel Literacy Association

Grade 6, Poetry:

• Jenna Ahn, “Your Pawprints On My Heart,” Mount View Middle, Marriottsville, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Olive Martin, “The Mountain in Me,” Matapeake Middle, Stevensville, MD, Upper Shore Literacy Association

Grade 6, Short Story:

• Douglas Gartrell, “Scary Adventures in Alaska,” Clarksville Middle, Clarksville, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Kristina Phillips, “The Stuffed Animal Switch,” Middletown Middle, Middletown, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter

Grade 7, Poetry:

• Joshua Akinbobola, “My Hair…I’m Not Ashamed,” Monarch Global Academy, Laurel, MD, Anne Arundel County Literacy Association
• Maira Khokhar, “What’s the Point of Life,” Mount View Middle, Marriottsville, MD, Howard County Literacy Association

Grade 7, Short Story:

• Reygan Ladner, “Lily Pads,” West Frederick Middle, Frederick, MD, Frederick
• Gabriella Picha, “Winter of Guilt,” North Harford Middle, Pylesville, MD, Harford

Grade 8, Poetry:

• Sree Saranya Ganti, “Lost in the Music,” Mount View Middle, Marriottsville, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Kieryae Kodges, “Flowing in the Wind,” Blended Virtual Middle School, Frederick, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter

Grade 8, Short Story:

• Catherine Clayton, “The Haunted Springhouse,” Swan Creek School (Blended Virtual Program), Aberdeen, MD, Harford County Literacy Association
• Catrina Donmoyer, “Gone Astray,” Stephen Decatur Middle, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Association

Grade 9, Poetry:

• Micah Georgeson, “Moon,” Mountain Ridge High, Frostburg, MD, Western Maryland Literacy Chapter
• Lily Karpman, “My Jar of Candies,” Oakdale High, Ijamsville, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter

Grade 9, Short Story:

• Kristen Arthungal, “At the End of the Sea,” Atholton High, Columbia, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Eden Rankin, “Wingspan,” Northern Garrett High, Frostburg, MD, Western Maryland Literacy Chapter
  
  

Grade 10, Poetry:

• Niki Holloway, “Hades,” Frederick High, Frederick, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter
• Anushka Skariah, “Sisyphus,” Centennial High, Ellicott City, MD, Howard County Literacy Association

Grade 10, Short Story:

• Esther Harbin, “The Downfall of the Obelisk of Light,” Frederick High, Frederick, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter
• Amara Nwankwo, “Oh Brother,” Montgomery Virtual Academy, Montgomery County Literacy Association

Grade 11, Poetry:

• Zuzu Kusmider, “Honeysuckle,” Queen Annes County High, Centreville, MD, Upper Shore Literacy Association
• Miranda Martin, “Rocking Chair on the Beach,” Southern Garrett High, Oakland, MD, Western Maryland Literacy Chapter

Grade 11, Short Story (SS)

• Miranda Martin, “Empty,” Southern Garrett High, Oakland, MD, Western Maryland Literacy Chapter
• Lydia Schwartz, “Secrets,” Worcester Preparatory, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Association

Grade 12, Poetry:

• Gouri Gupta, “The Writer’s Touch,” Glenelg High, Glenelg, MD, Howard County Literacy Association
• Macy Woroniecki, “The Fall of Girlhood,” Stephen Decatur High, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Associaiton

Grade 12, Short Story:

• Sara Patamawenu, “Paragon,” Urbana High, Ijamsville, MD, Frederick County Literacy Chapter
• Chris Stedding, “Hallow Home,” Stephen Decatur High, Berlin, MD, Eastern Shore Literacy Association

The announcement of the finalists is a highlight of the Young Authors’ Contest, with students, educators, and families looking forward to the awards ceremony. The SoMLA thanks the teachers, mentors, and communities that support these young writers in their literary journeys.

In recognition of their outstanding achievements, the finalists, along with their families, teachers, and principals, are warmly invited to attend the Young Authors’ Awards Ceremony. This esteemed event will be held at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, located at 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. It is during this ceremony that the top two awardees in each category will be honored. SoMLA looks forward to celebrating these young authors’ remarkable accomplishments in person, marking an unforgettable milestone in their burgeoning literary careers.

The State of Maryland Literacy Association is committed to the ongoing success of the Young Authors’ Contest as a key initiative in promoting literacy and a love of reading and writing among Maryland’s youth.

About the State of Maryland Literacy Association

The State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA) is dedicated to promoting literacy and a passion for reading and writing across all age groups. Through events like the Young Authors’ Contest, SoMLA aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of writers and readers.