Salisbury, MD – The Eastern Shore Literacy Association is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Young Authors’ Contest, a testament to the resilience and creativity of our young writers. Despite challenges, students across the lower three counties, including public, private, and homeschooled students, have once again demonstrated their exceptional literary talents. The contest, featuring grades 1 through 12 across poetry and short story categories, showcases the best of young literary achievement.

This year, we were honored to have celebrated author Frank Bateman as our keynote speaker. His words of wisdom and encouragement were a highlight of the awards ceremony, inspiring both winners and participants to continue honing their craft.

“We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and creativity of these young authors,” said Dr. Brian Cook, ESLA Young Authors’ Contest Co-Chair. “The support from teachers, parents, and the community has been invaluable, underscoring the collective effort behind each student’s success.”

The winners for the 2023-2024 contest are as follows:

• Grade 1, Poetry – No entries.
• Grade 1, Short Story – (1) Miles Vocke, Buckingham Elementary; Anne Johnson, Pinehurst Elementary; Nicole Sebastian, Worcester Preparatory.
• Grade 2, Poetry – (1) Quinn Westbrook, Buckingham Elementary.
• Grade 2, Short Story – (1) Piper Lynch, Buckingham Elementary; (2) Ryder Whitlock, Worcester Preparatory; (3) Lula Randel, The Salisbury School.
• Grade 3, Poetry – (1) Amelia Gunther, North Salisbury Elementary; (2-tie) Savannah Green, North Salisbury Elementary; (2-tie) Jonas Giska, Buckingham Elementary; (3) Elliot Seman, North Salisbury Elementary.
• Grade 3, Short Story – Parker Marr, North Salisbury Elementary; (2) Jalynn Johnson, North Salisbury Elementary; (3-tie) Layla Cooper, North Salisbury Elementary; (3-tie) Sebastian Maddox, North Salisbury Elementary; (3-tie) Dev Pillai, Worcester Preparatory.
• Grade 4, Poetry – (1) Maisie Gill, Ocean City Elementary; (2) Emma Hailey, Buckingham Elementary; (3) Evelyn Caudill, Showell Elementary.
• Grade 4, Short Story – (1) Evelyn Caudill, Showell Elementary; (2-tie) Emma Hailey, Buckingham Elementary; (2-tie) Anya Murukutla, Worcester Preparatory; (2-tie) Lacy Boyd, The Salisbury School; (3) Natalie Garcia, Fruitland Intermediate.
• Grade 5, Poetry – (1) Dorie Elliott, The Salisbury School; (2) Josslyn Lewis, The Salisbury School; (3) Claire Hakeem, North Salisbury Elementary
• Grade 5, Short Story – (1) Sloan Smith, Worcester Preparatory; (2) Tajal Pillai, Worcester Preparatory; (3) Serena Jaoude, Worcester Preparatory.
• Grade 6, Poetry – (1) Lorelei Broyles, The Salisbury School; (2) Lea Jaoude, Worcester Preparatory School; (3) Alessia Ziman, Worcester Preparatory School.
• Grade 6, Short Story – (1) Lea Jaoude, Worcester Preparatory School; (2-tie) Jeremy Quan, Bennett Middle; (2-tie) Claire Cooper, Worcester Preparatory School; (3-tie) Kenleigh Lynch, Snow Hill Middle; (3-tie) Harvey Whitelock, Somerset Intermediate.
• Grade 7, Poetry – (1) Evelyn Chaney, Stephen Decatur Middle; (2-tie) Claire Sullivan, Stephen Decatur Middle; (2-tie) Ruby Ludwick, St. Francis de Sales Catholic; (3) Elodie Bounds, The Salisbury School.
• Grade 7, Short Story – (1) Juliet Webster, Stephen Decatur Middle; (2) Elias Baldridge, Stephen Decatur Middle; (3) Lily Gilchrist, The Salisbury School.
• Grade 8, Poetry – (1) Ava Brown, Stephen Decatur Middle; (2-tie) Olivia Hamilton, The Salisbury School; (2-tie) Levi Phillips, Worcester Preparatory; (3-tie) Aila Ovais, The Salisbury School; (3-tie) Emma Fadely, Bennett Middle.
• Grade 8, Short Story – (1) Catrina Donmoyer, Stephen Decatur Middle; (2-tie) Hayden Wagner, Worcester Preparatory; (2-tie) Abigail Tan, Bennett Middle; (3) Sara Dhekney, Bennett Middle.
• Grade 9, Poetry – (1) Breanna McCray, Stephen Decatur High; (2) Raniyah Hunter, Pocomoke High; (3-tie) Emma Nordstrom, Worcester Preparatory; (3-tie) Libby Donoway, The Salisbury School.
• Grade 9, Short Story – (1) Sydney Parker, Worcester Preparatory; (2) Breanna McCray, Stephen Decatur High; (3) Mia Jaoude, Worcester Preparatory.
• Grade 10, Poetry – (1) Marina Farlow, Worcester Preparatory; (2) Savvy Wertz, Snow Hill High; (3) Riley Richardson, Snow Hill High.
• Grade 10, Short Story – (1) Jude Damouni, Worcester Preparatory; (2) Catherine Cullen, Worcester Preparatory; (3) Jamie Nguyen, Worcester Preparatory.
• Grade 11, Poetry – (1) Lily Gammel, The Salisbury School; (2) Ava Baer, Mardela Middle & High; (3-tie) Sara Miller, The Salisbury School; (3-tie) Christopher Kim, James M. Bennett High; (3-tie) Daniel LeCates, The Salisbury School.
• Grade 11, Short Story – (1) Lydia Schwartz, Worcester Preparatory; (2) Will Wells, Worcester Preparatory; (3) Elijah Payne, Stephen Decatur High.
• Grade 12, Poetry – (1) Macy Woroniecki, Stephen Decatur High; (2) Abbi Weeks, Stephen Decatur High; (3-tie) Ava Cording, The Salisbury School; (3-tie) Treston Melvin, Pocomoke High.
• Grade 12, Short Story – (1) Chris Stedding, Stephen Decatur High; (2) Sophia Decker, Stephen Decatur High; (3) Jeffrey Loos, Snow Hill High.

“We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the students, educators, and families who contribute to the success of the Young Authors’ Contest,” added Emilee Holson, ESLA Young Authors’ Contest Co-Chair. “Their dedication and hard work are what make this event so special each year.”

The Eastern Shore Literacy Association looks forward to continuing its tradition of fostering creativity and literacy among young writers. Congratulations once again to all our winners and participants.

#LiteracyMatters