Finalists Named in annual Young Authors’ Contest

 

Salisbury, Md. – Talented student writers continue to showcase their creativity, demonstrating a mastery of descriptive language, rhyme schemes, and insightful reflections on contemporary social issues in the Eastern Shore Literacy Association’s (ESLA) annual Young Authors’ Contest. After extensive scoring and deliberation, ESLA is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Young Authors’ Contest. Finalists represent the top three finishers in each respective category—poetry or short story—across grade levels. Each finalist, spanning grades 1-12, submitted an original piece that was evaluated through a blind scoring process.

“The Young Authors’ Contest continues to receive overwhelming support from local schools, with finalists representing each of the three lower Eastern Shore counties,” said Dr. Brian Cook, ESLA Young Authors’ Contest Chair. “This year, entries were submitted from public, private, and homeschool students. Over the years, we have worked diligently to refine and enhance the contest, fostering an environment where students and educators are committed to its success.”

ESLA is eagerly anticipating the awards ceremony, which will take place at Salisbury University. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wicomico Room, located on the first floor of the Guerrieri Student Union. This year’s keynote speaker will be children’s book author and Salisbury University faculty member, Dr. Jon Andes.

“We are excited to gather in celebration of our young authors,” stated Jessica Webster, ESLA Young Authors’ Contest Co-Chair. “This remains the largest awards ceremony in the region dedicated to honoring student writers, making it a truly special occasion for all finalists.”

Finalists are listed alphabetically by last name within each grade and category. The order does not reflect final placement standings.

*Grade 1, Poetry: Rylen Pedone (Ocean City Elementary)

Grade 1, Short Story: Molly DeVaughn (Snow Hill Elementary), Wrenna Jones (Buckingham Elementary), Evelyn Justice (Ocean City Elementary)

Grade 2, Poetry: Raegan Douglas (The Salisbury School), Nicole Sebastian (Worcester Prep), Thea Scherr (The Salisbury School)

Grade 2, Short Story: Cato Gelman (Showell Elementary), Nicole Sebastian (Worcester Prep), Madilyn Szymanski (Ocean City Elementary)

Grade 3, Poetry: Ellie Smith (Ocean City Elementary), Quinn Westbrook (Buckingham Elementary), Siraj Yasir (North Salisbury Elementary)

Grade 3, Short Story: Finn Fogle (Ocean City Elementary), Gabriel Luppens (North Salisbury Elementary), Milton Moreno Jimenez (North Salisbury Elementary)

Grade 4, Poetry: Ostin Cai (The Salisbury School), Savannah Green (North Salisbury Elementary), Samantha Kuna-Neto (The Salisbury School)

**Grade 4, Short Story: Sarah Allam (Showell Elementary), Grace Flanagan (Showell Elementary), Piper Grant (Showell Elementary), Carter Justice (Ocean City Elementary), Quinn Kershner (North Salisbury Elementary)

Grade 5, Poetry: Evelyn Caudill (Berlin Intermediate), Charlize Damouni (Worcester Prep), Asher Herard-Martin (East Salisbury Elementary)

**Grade 5, Short Story: Evelyn Caudill (Berlin Intermediate), Natalie Garcia (Fruitland Intermediate) Maisie Gill (Berlin Intermediate), Freddy Hertrich (Worcester Prep), Lucy McCarty

Grade 6, Poetry: Gianna Baines (Berlin Intermediate), Dorie Elliott (The Salisbury School), Ella Goebel (The Salisbury School)

Grade 6, Short Story: Dawt Chin (Pocomoke Middle), Sally Falotico (The Salisbury School), Tabitha Lauer (Snow Hill Middle)

Grade 7, Poetry: Lorelei Broyles (The Salisbury School), Natasha Gonzalez-DeRocher (Stephen Decatur Middle), Lea Jaoude (Worcester Prep)

Grade 7, Short Story: Anna French (Worcester Prep), Lillian Ha (Worcester Prep), Paige Rohloff (Worcester Prep)

Grade 8, Poetry: Clara Elliott (The Salisbury School), Elizabeth Kim (Bennett Middle), Ellie Wells (Stephen Decatur Middle)

**Grade 8, Short Story: Elias Baldridge (Stephen Decatur Middle), Ryleigh Jordyn Cunningham-Hewitt (Pittsville Elementary & Middle), Ruby Ludwick (St. Francis de Sales Catholic), Sophia Nguyen (Worcester Prep), Charlie Smith (Stephen Decatur Middle), Ruby Windsoe (Stephen Decatur Middle)

**Grade 9, Poetry: Giabella Abruzzo (Stephen Decatur High), Ava Brown (Stephen Decatur High), Lilly Copeland (Stephen Decatur High), Nora Gorfinkle (Worcester Prep), Nidhish Gupta (Stephen Decatur High)

Grade 9, Short Story: Allison McIsaac (Mardela Middle & High), Angela Quan (James M. Bennett High), Abigail Tan (Parkside High)

**Grade 10, Poetry: Chloe Gilchrist (The Salisbury School), Raniyah Hunter (Pocomoke High), Peter Jin (James M. Bennett High), Sophia Leimbach (Holly Grove Christian), Breanna McCray (Stephen Decatur High)

**Grade 10, Short Story: Kalen Lin (Pocomoke High), Stella Martin (Home School), Breanna McCray (Stephen Decatur High), Seryna Weaver (Snow Hill High)

Grade 11, Poetry: Bella Masone (The Salisbury School), Riley Richardson (Snow Hill High), Eleanor Zollinger (Stephen Decatur High)

Grade 11, Short Story: Catherine Cullen (Worcester Prep), Jake Timmons (Worcester Prep), Savannah Wertz (Snow Hill High)

Grade 12, Poetry: Emmalyn Fetters (Stephen Decatur High), Ziann Franklin (Pocomoke High), Naadirah Hassan-El (Snow Hill High)

Grade 12, Short Story: Ava Baer (Mardela Middle & High), Adam Baker (Stephen Decatur High), Daniel LeCates (The Salisbury School)

*Indicates category did not have three finalists.

**Indicates category had a tie resulting in more than three finalists.

 

About the Eastern Shore Literacy Association

ESLA is a non-profit organization that supports Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties with the purpose of promoting a literate society by bringing together a network of people dedicated to sharing knowledge and information about literacy through programs and services. ESLA, is an affiliate of the State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA), a leading literacy organization in Maryland comprised of over 1,500 members in 17 active chapters.

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