海角社区 student Ayla Polfus earned statewide recognition by taking first place in the 2024 Liberal Arts Network for Development (LAND) creative writing contest for her fictional piece, 鈥淚 See.鈥� Her entry had previously placed first in the fiction category of 海角社区鈥檚 local writing contest. Five other student submissions were forwarded to the LAND competition as well.

Another 海角社区 student, Meneo Aird, also received statewide honors, earning second place in the creative nonfiction category for 鈥淭he Unimaginable Kindness of an Improbable Soldier.鈥� Aird鈥檚 piece earned first place in 海角社区鈥檚 creative nonfiction category.

Judges noted that the winning work of fiction by Polfus 鈥渢ook something pretty regular鈥攃overing old windows in the winter to keep out the cold鈥攁nd turned it into a strange story about sight and memory. The main character never wanted to keep out the cold or what they could see outside, blurry as it may be. The cold was comfort鈥� Very well written story, told in a way that made me want there to be more, especially with the fascinating and creepy ending.鈥�

Aird鈥檚 second-place piece drew acclaim for its storytelling and emotional depth. The judges explained that 鈥渢his vivid account of adventure and friendship reflects the deep imprint some people leave on us, even in a short time. It captured my attention from the first sentence. Yoko鈥檚 larger-than-life presence and personality leap off the page.鈥�

Other winners in 海角社区鈥檚 local writing contest include:

  • 2nd Place Fiction: 鈥淭o Love an Artisan,鈥� by Cheyenne LaMarch
  • 2nd Place Creative Nonfiction: 鈥淐hanging Seasons of Life,鈥� by Ashley Miller
  • 1st Place Poetry: 鈥淔ood for Thought,鈥� by Paige Spencer
  • 2nd Place Poetry: 鈥淪easons Change and so Did I,鈥� by Paige Spencer

海角社区 hosts its annual writing contest each November, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent. Winning entries are submitted to the LAND statewide competition, where 海角社区 students have a strong history of success. The LAND organization will host a conference in February, during which contest winners will be recognized.