The Friends of the Orinda Library recently announced the winners of the 2014 Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest, an annual competition open to all high school students who live or attend school in Orinda. Winning entries were selected by a panel of judges who included: Ginger Wadsworth, author; Sally Small, author; and Janet Boreta and Marian Nielsen of Orinda Books.
This year's contest included four categories: science fiction, short story, essay/memoir and poetry. First place prizes in each category were awarded $250. In addition, honorable mentions were granted to deserving pieces. Entries were from students who attended Miramonte High School, Orinda Academy, College Prep, the Athenian School and students who were home schooled.
Winners were as follows:
Science Fiction: Alexa Barger (Orinda Academy, Grade 12), "Short Circuit"
Short Story: Neil Binnie (Miramonte High School, Grade 9), "The Soda Pop Bootlegger"
Essay/Memoir: Kate Nerone (Miramonte High School, Grade 9), "Wave Goodbye"
Poetry: Gabriel Ostler (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Ballad of the Creator"
Honorable Mentions went to the following:
Short Story: Laura Li (Miramonte High School, Grade 10), "Alice"
Essay/Memoir: Caie Kelley (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Why I Write"
Essay/Memoir: Katherine Richardson (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Glimpses Through the Cracks"
Poetry: Katarina Cohen (Miramonte High School, Grade 10), "Nothing Really"
This year's contest included four categories: science fiction, short story, essay/memoir and poetry. First place prizes in each category were awarded $250. In addition, honorable mentions were granted to deserving pieces. Entries were from students who attended Miramonte High School, Orinda Academy, College Prep, the Athenian School and students who were home schooled.
Winners were as follows:
Science Fiction: Alexa Barger (Orinda Academy, Grade 12), "Short Circuit"
Short Story: Neil Binnie (Miramonte High School, Grade 9), "The Soda Pop Bootlegger"
Essay/Memoir: Kate Nerone (Miramonte High School, Grade 9), "Wave Goodbye"
Poetry: Gabriel Ostler (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Ballad of the Creator"
Honorable Mentions went to the following:
Short Story: Laura Li (Miramonte High School, Grade 10), "Alice"
Essay/Memoir: Caie Kelley (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Why I Write"
Essay/Memoir: Katherine Richardson (Miramonte High School, Grade 12), "Glimpses Through the Cracks"
Poetry: Katarina Cohen (Miramonte High School, Grade 10), "Nothing Really"
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA