The winners of the summer creative writing contest sponsored by the Pacific Palisades Library Association (PPLA) were announced at a special after-school event on October 5. The branch library’s community room was filled with contestants, parents and friends who enjoyed refreshments while listening to actors Bill Jones and Christine Kludijian read the winning stories. The contest attracted 38 entries in five different categories: Scribblers (grades 1-2), Jotters (3-4), Scrawlers (5-6), Scribes (7-8) and Authors (high school). Entries included poems, essays, short stories, dramatic scenes and monologues, and were judged by members of the PPLA, also known as Friends of the Library. Winners were selected based on writing style, originality, plot, characterization and overall effect. Contestants were limited to one entry, which could not exceed three pages double-spaced. ‘As a judge, I was impressed with the level of sophistication of the entries, which included stories of fantasy, adventure, humor and drama,’ said Elsie Scarano. ‘We appreciate the creative efforts of all the talented writers.’ The top three winners in each category received gift certificates from Village Books: $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third. In the Scribbler category, Rory Asawa (Marquez) won with his entry ‘Dead King Cobra.’ Tessa Smigla (Palisades Elementary) placed second, and Luke Feegel (P.S. 1) placed third. Kira Martin (Palisades) won the Jotters category with her entry ‘How the Bee Got Its Stinger.’ Second was a tie between Lleyton and Wyatt Bocaccio (Palisades) and Zander Fitzgerald (Palisades). Third went to Jenna Handler (Marquez). ‘The Paper’ by Justin Wolman (Paul Revere) took first in the Scrawlers. Second place went to Kiley McKay (Calvary Christian) and third to Maizie Hurwitz (Seven Arrows). The Scribe’s winner was Zoe Dutton (Harvard-Westlake), who wrote ‘Setiwan’s Flower.’ Second place was Ava Giglio (Paul Revere) and third was Madison Kahn (Brentwood). In the high school category, first went to ‘Message From Your Soul’ by Victoria Minerva Chayes (Marymount). Dakota Powell (Palisades Charter) took second. There was a tie for third between Fiona Hayman (Palisades Charter) and Joseph Maa (Diamond Bar High). Elaine Wechsler, a former teacher at Paul Revere and currently a PPLA board member, started the contest about 23 years ago to promote literature and writing among Palisadian youth. The event is run entirely by volunteers. The winning entries may be read online at www.friendsofpalilibrary.org.
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