21 high school students celebrated for their written work - 6/21/07

The 2007 BCPS Writing Contest honored students for their short story, poetry, and commentary writing.

Describing them as “courageous writers,” BCPS Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sonia Diaz congratulated the 21 Baltimore County Public Schools students recently honored for writing excellence at the BCPS Writing Contest awards reception.

Dr. Diaz, who spoke at the May 28 event at Villa Julie College in Stevenson, said the students showed dedication and determination in their writing choices and that by writing they “open the windows into their hearts and into their ways of thinking, showing us how they view the world.”

In this year’s contest, sponsored by Villa Julie College, high school students from 16 of Baltimore County’s 24 high schools competed in writing short stories, poetry, and commentary. More than 1,000 entries were received. The entries then went through three levels of blind judging – with the students’ names and schools hidden from judges. Prominent writers and educators from local colleges and universities selected the semifinalists.

Winners were chosen by a panel including Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Anne Tyler, former Maryland Poet Laureate Linda Pastan, and Baltimore Sun writers Mary McCauley, Rob Hiassen, and Rob Little. Cash prizes ranged from $250 for first place winners to $25 for honorable mention winners.

“Activities such as this writing contest encourage our students to apply their talents and stretch their skills beyond school assignments,” says BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston. “These activities bring our students into contact with leaders in higher education and professionals in their fields of interest.”

According to Debbie Vickers, supervisor of English for Baltimore County Public Schools, “This contest is based on the belief that good writing and excellence should be recognized. Open to all students in our high schools, the contest serves as both incentive and reward for students to develop and use their writing skills.”

The 2007 writing contest winners are:

Short Story
1st Place – Aldan O., Towson High School
2nd Place – Chris H., Catonsville High School
3rd Place – Kathryn F., Carver Center for Arts & Technology
– Honorable Mention –
Mirah I., Carver Center for Arts & Technology
Angelica M., Towson High School
Clifton J., Towson High School
Noel S., Towson High School

Poetry
1st Place – Laurel O., Towson High School
2nd Place – Sarah E., Carver Center for Arts & Technology
3rd Place – Jack S., Towson High School
– Honorable Mention –
Kenay S., Catonsville High School
Zachary C., Carver Center for Arts & Technology
Elizabeth N., Towson High School
Lucy W., Towson High School

Commentary
1st Place – Erika M., Dulaney High School
2nd Place – Jennifer B., Dulaney High School
3rd Place – Jackie W., Dulaney High School
– Honorable Mention –
Staphanie H., Dulaney High School
Chad E., Dulaney High School
Olivia K., Dulaney High School
Stefania V., Dulaney High School

Writing contest winners pose with BCPS administrators.

Contest history was made this year, Vickers notes. “This is the first time since the contest began in 1986 that one school has swept a category like Dulaney did in the commentary category,” says Vickers. “Even more amazing is that all of these students have the same teacher -- Dora Simons.”

Superintendent Hairston concludes that the contest is both an affirmation of the importance of good communication skills and of the school system’s connections to the higher education community.

“The measure of our success as a school system,” Dr. Hairston says, “is not simply what scores our students earn on tests or grades they receive on their report cards. We are preparing the next generation of young people to solve all the challenges that we as adults have yet to solve. Our success is measured ultimately by what these young people achieve outside the classroom and throughout their lives. We appreciate Villa Julie College and our other partners in higher education in supporting our efforts to prepare all of our students for success in college, careers, and life. “

Story by Diana L. Spencer, communications officer. Photo courtesy the Office of Language Arts.

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