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2022-23High School
Young Authors Contest:
Anthology
of Winning Entries
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Acknowledgements & Welcome
It is SoMLA’s privilege to have worked with all participants— the writers, most importantly-- in the 2022-23 Young Authors’ Contest. After reviewing each child’s entry, the judging panel identified as state winners the top two high school submissions in each category and at each grade level. It is with pride that SoMLA now presents this body of work representing some of the best young adult poets and storytellers in the state of Maryland.
We congratulate first and foremost all involved in the initial crafting and submission of each poem and short story. Students, your entries made us smile, occasionally grabbed us by surprise, and often just made us pause to consider the world around us. Parents and teachers, your guidance, support, and instruction to these exceptional young people surely helped to develop their abilities and confidence as writers and as a consequence, helped to lift them to this level of recognition. Your behind-the-scenes advocacy is recognized.
We honor, too, all judges-- local and state-- involved in the process. Your devotion of energy and personal time to this cause is humbly acknowledged. Recognition of the writing of young ladies and gentlemen from across the state simply would not be possible without your efforts.
SoMLA vigorously thanks all local chapters’ Young Authors’ Contest chairpersons and their committee members. These people voluntarily got their local contests off the ground, saw the process through to their judges’ decisions, and in many cases, offered celebratory events of their own. We applaud your dedication to providing opportunities for students to write beyond their regular school audiences and to be recognized for having done so.
To all who have landed here: Ponder the following pages as you travel to the worlds these young people have created. Marvel at the creativity of their ideas, the sparkle of their craft.
Leslie Sunderland
Chair, Young Authors’ Contest
High School, Grades 9-12
It is SoMLA’s privilege to have worked with all participants— the writers, most importantly-- in the 2022-23 Young Authors’ Contest. After reviewing each child’s entry, the judging panel identified as state winners the top two high school submissions in each category and at each grade level. It is with pride that SoMLA now presents this body of work representing some of the best young adult poets and storytellers in the state of Maryland.
We congratulate first and foremost all involved in the initial crafting and submission of each poem and short story. Students, your entries made us smile, occasionally grabbed us by surprise, and often just made us pause to consider the world around us. Parents and teachers, your guidance, support, and instruction to these exceptional young people surely helped to develop their abilities and confidence as writers and as a consequence, helped to lift them to this level of recognition. Your behind-the-scenes advocacy is recognized.
We honor, too, all judges-- local and state-- involved in the process. Your devotion of energy and personal time to this cause is humbly acknowledged. Recognition of the writing of young ladies and gentlemen from across the state simply would not be possible without your efforts.
SoMLA vigorously thanks all local chapters’ Young Authors’ Contest chairpersons and their committee members. These people voluntarily got their local contests off the ground, saw the process through to their judges’ decisions, and in many cases, offered celebratory events of their own. We applaud your dedication to providing opportunities for students to write beyond their regular school audiences and to be recognized for having done so.
To all who have landed here: Ponder the following pages as you travel to the worlds these young people have created. Marvel at the creativity of their ideas, the sparkle of their craft.
Leslie Sunderland
Chair, Young Authors’ Contest
High School, Grades 9-12
The following anthology of finalists is organized by poetry first with 1st and 2nd place winners presented for each progressive grade level.
Short stories follow in like fashion.
A page of "Final Notes" for readers is included at the end.
Short stories follow in like fashion.
A page of "Final Notes" for readers is included at the end.