SCSC WRITING CONTEST For Students in Grades K–12 2019–20 Theme: Rights & Responsibilities Sponsored by In Partnership with The SCSC Writing Contest provides students with an opportunity to express themselves through fiction, non-fiction and/ or poetry. This contest was established to encourage the love of language and writing for all students and as a way to recognize the talented young writers in south central Minnesota. SCSC partners with Minnesota State University, Mankato on this project. Students in grades K–12 attending public, private or homeschools are eligible to enter. Up to three pieces per category and submissions in multiple categories are welcome. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the sponsors. Note to Readers: Some of the works may not be appropriate for a younger reading audience. COPYRIGHT © 2020 This anthology is a joint project of South Central Service Cooperative and Minnesota State University’s education department. Copyright reverts to authors upon publication. CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS: Poetry: Fiction (Imaginary/Fantasy): Non-Fiction (True/Factual): Arrangement of words in an artistic and Stories that describe imaginary events (Choose one or more non-fiction types) purposeful manner that expresses the and people that entertain the reader Personal narrative: A true story that writer’s thoughts and/or feelings about with realistic details, involving characters describes a real event or experiences in a subject of their choice using style and who experience a conflict (ex: historical the author’s life. rhythm (ex: sonnets, haiku, free verse). fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, science Information: Factual writing to convey • Limit three entries per student fiction, mystery). knowledge of a topic and research • Maximum length is two pages, • Limit three entries per student findings. double-spaced per entry • Maximum length is five pages, Essay/Opinion: A feeling or thought double-spaced per entry you have about a subject or topic, supported by research. • Limit three entries per student • Maximum length is five pages, All entries should relate to the 2019–20 theme: Rights & Responsibilities. double-spaced per entry Right: just, good, proper, standard, fact, truth Responsibility: accountable, reliable, dependable, complete and obligation Thank you to all those who worked with the SCSC Writing Contest and this anthology: To the staff at South Central Service Cooperative for promoting the contest, gathering and cataloging submissions, serving as judges and providing feedback to students, and designing the anthology layout. To the students and staff at Minnesota State University, Mankato education department for their support while transitioning to distance learning within their programs. To the teachers, parents, friends and relatives who encourage students to express themselves through writing. Finally, to the students who shared their work for this year’s contest. We are most grateful. For more information, visit www.mnscsc.org/writing-contest Table of Contents POETRY The Eldest Sister, Norah Davis . 3 Open Minded, Olivia Graddy . 3 Loving Me, Anna Woods ........................................................................3 Rescue Boat, Anna Woods . 4 Untouchable, Anna Woods ......................................................................4 FICTION Life and Death, Brielle Brown...................................................................5–7 Wow!, Scarlett Chance .......................................................................7–8 Lesson Across the Street, Autumn Gaul and Evie Johnson ...........................................8–11 The Party, Brennan Glawe ...................................................................11–13 The Thieves’ Hold, Ethan Gordon .............................................................13–15 A Long Way from the Farm, Olivia Graddy .................................................... 16–19 Mayday, Lulu Gray........................................................................19–20 Dragon Sales, Riley Holets.................................................................. 21–22 The Dragon’s Keep, Riley Holets . 22–24 The Mother and the Fae, Riley Holets . 24–26 If You Get a Hamburger at McDonald’s, Andree Jakovice ............................................26 Time Twist, Cameron Johnson . 27–28 Responsibilities First!, Katrin Loften............................................................28–29 Everyone Should Have a Home, Keisha Navarrete..............................................29–30 All Are Home, Leah Proehl ..................................................................31–33 The Road Trip, Claire Roering . 33–36 The Bell Tower, Andie Sanderson ............................................................37–38 Emily’s Essay Experience, Peyton Seeger . 39–41 A Garden of Learning, Nityan Sharma........................................................ 41–42 A Perpetual Tussle, Rohan Sharma . 42–44 Homework and School, Nora Ann Smith ......................................................44–50 Lindzi and Her Magic Bunny, Reagan Steffen . 50–52 Homework and Home, Olivia Trotman ........................................................52–55 Regina’s Pet Pandemonium, Sophia Williams...................................................55–56 NONFICTION Buddy, Ava Boswell . 57 Getting a Dog, Sofia Fritzke.....................................................................58 Poisoned Water, Brennan Gerstbauer ............................................................58 Follow Me Today, For Tomorrow, Sasha Jakovich...................................................59 State Story, Sophia Matarrese............................................................... 59–61 ABOUT THE AUTHORS..................................................................62–63 POETRY The Eldest Sister loving me By Norah Davis, Grade 6 By Anna Woods, Grade 10 Maple River Middle School, Mapleton St. Peter High School, St. Peter First there was one daughter, the self-harm scars show how much i was hurting Then two, turning pain into cuts Then three, the permanent ink placed on my hip Then four. a constant reminder of my first love I am the oldest, the uneven bangs framing my face Sometimes I feel like a protector, cut impulsively during a breakdown Watching over my younger sisters. the slit in my right eyebrow Every morning I wake them up, made to show that i wanted change Help them get ready, the visible weight gain i so wish would disappear And then get on the bus. showing my recovery Sometimes I bring them treats home from my school, and how i began eating better Cookies with chocolate chips, Sweet fizzy juice, there are days i’d gladly change my appearance Or chewy fruit snacks. then i remember Sometimes they make me mad by, my body represents my experiences Stealing my stuff, it shows how strong i am Drawing on my papers, and how strong i can be And tearing my homework. i love it But even though, i can see the sad effects of poor mental health They make me mad, and then the aftermath of building myself back up I still love them with all my heart, For I am the eldest sister. Open Minded By Olivia Graddy, Grade 3 Eagle View Elementary, New Prague I have a closed mind. I am not creative. I am not original. My mind is not free. I don’t talk because I don’t know the right words to say. But then something bright comes in. A change comes. Something beautiful. The change does something. It opens my closed door. I feel wonderful and free. I feel artistic and imaginative. I am INSPIRED. I can do anything. 2020 SCSC Writing Contest Submitted Works 3 rescue boat untouchable By Anna Woods, Grade 10 By Anna Woods, Grade 10 St. Peter High School, St. Peter St. Peter High School, St. Peter coming back from the fall i want to love you is like relearning to breathe i want you to love me once you start to drown the hardest thing i’d ever beared was losing you you don’t expect you’ll float back up for air so many of the tears that fell from my eyes my emotions had engulfed me were tears that should have been wiped by you the overwhelming urge to stay below had overcome me but you’re now the untouchable human they tried to pull me up ill forever want to be wrapped in but i pushed them away how do i push aside the strongest love i’ve ever felt as i sunk deeper and deeper and deeper and have yet to forget i acclimated to the cold and lonely waters around me how am i supposed to act as i gasped in the icy water like my fondest memories weren’t of you for a minute my mind was at peace my favorite stories are about you soon i wouldn’t feel sad and the many adventures we took i wouldn’t have to cry myself to sleep again and now it’s too painful to remember the pain would be gone let alone tell them quickly that sense of peace left when my children ask about my first love, as fast as day turns to night the fear crept in and took place of the peace our story will be the one i tell i wasn’t ready to leave behind my home i still hold you so close to my heart my family and i don’t understand why i wasn’t ready to throw away everything id worked toward you’re untouchable all my dreams i so desperately wanted to achieve no matter how much i want you, I couldn’t give those up no matter how hard i try to regain your attention as i clawed at the water it will never be the same trying so desperately to reach the top our love is still my favorite story to tell my mind raced my dreams are still filled with you i saw the surface getting