Canton Writes 2024 winners

The Friends of the Canton Public Library are pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 edition of Canton Writes, the annual town-wide writing contest sponsored by the Friends and the Canton Citizen.

A whopping 155 entries were submitted this year, including 66 poems, 61 short stories, and 28 nonfiction/memoir entries. First-, second- and third-place winners were awarded by age group and recognized during awards nights held on June 4 (high school and adult) and June 5 (K-2, grades 3-5 and middle school).

Many thanks to all who entered and to this year’s judges: Andrea Capone, Nancy Mark, Chris Untersee, Joanne Wheeler, Maura Bayliss, Sylvia Cormier, Beth Magann, Bernard Mendillo, Sherry Alpert, Andrew Capraro, Lori Fanara and Jay Turner.

Canton Writes would also like to thank committee members Kevin Boyce (chair), Laura Kurlinski and Peg Mead; Bill Quinn and the Friends of the Library; the Canton library staff for their ongoing support; and Mary Jane and Tim Mangan for putting together the 2024 Canton Writes book.

To inquire about purchasing a Canton Writes book, check with the library’s circulation desk or email Mary Jane Mangan at murjur@tmurgent.com.

Special shout-out to Kate Devine, who won an award in all three categories this year, including first place in adult nonfiction, second place in adult poetry, and third place in adult short story. Also winning multiple awards were Parker Kurlinski, who placed first in K-2 poetry and third in K-2 nonfiction, and Siena Cotter, who placed second in K-2 short story and tied for third in K-2 poetry.

First-place entries will be published in the Canton Citizen throughout the summer as space permits. Below are the winners in each category:

Poetry (Grades K-2): 1st – “Me to the Penguin” by Parker Kurlinski; 2nd – “Trees” by Sean Hoxha; 3rd (tie) – “Silly Animals” by Siena Cotter and “Springtime” by Avery Guarnotta

Poetry (Grades 3-5): 1st – “The Boy” by Sophie Cawley; 2nd – “I, Iza” by Iza Witwit; 3rd – “The Girl Who Was Brave” by Emma Cawley

Poetry (Middle School): 1st – “My Grandma’s Rhode Island House” by Emily Tormey; 2nd – “The Earth’s Lament” by Avika Shukla; 3rd – “The Heart’s Crescendo” by Alexis Priselac

Poetry (High School): 1st – “Cobwebs” by Ceylin Uysal-Post; 2nd – “Gum Drop House” by Molly O’Brien; 3rd – “Why I Love Storms” by Zikora Nwoye

Poetry (Adult): 1st – “Crusty Old Men” by Charles Messinger; 2nd – “Can You Hear the Music?” by Kate Devine; 3rd – “Tell a Story” by Andrew Wise; Honorable Mention – “Usen Castle” by Suzanne O’Toole

Short Stories (Grades K-2): 1st – “Sunny’s New Friend” by Avani Shukla; 2nd – “Sparkle Gets a Pet” by Siena Cotter; 3rd – “Adventures at Hamilton’s” by Rosalind Smith

Short Stories (Grades 3-5): 1st – “A River with a Mind of Its Own” by Ella Guarnotta; 2nd – “The Apology” by Miranda Lara; 3rd – “The Beast” by Lukas Kaplanes

Short Stories (Middle School): 1st – “The Benchwarmer” by Nolan Merenda; 2nd – “Tagged” by Daksh Nayak; 3rd – “The Friend Request” by Olivia Feldman

Short Stories (High School): 1st – “By the Lake” by Sadie Gugliotta; 2nd – “Heart Thief” by Samantha Cohen; 3rd – “New Beginnings” by Sagy Sobhy

Short Stories (Adult): 1st – “The Happiest Day” by Abby Nelson; 2nd – “At-Home Learning” by Tara Chiatovich; 3rd – “Clarke and Adam” by Kate Devine

Nonfiction/Memoirs (Grades K-2): 1st – “My Amazing Project” by Elise Jochebed Apraku Bondzie; 2nd – “All About New York” by Joshua Zeng; 3rd – “Tigers” by Parker Kurlinski

Nonfiction/Memoirs (Grades 3-5): 1st – “Skateboarding” by Leela Matthews; 2nd – “If I Would Visit Any Place in the World” by Emmanuel Apraku Bondzie; 3rd – “All About Ballet” by Teagan Pero

Nonfiction/Memoirs (Middle School): 1st – “Resilient Creatures” by Jacob Sallette

Nonfiction/Memoirs (High School): 1st – “Big Girl Shoes” by Maggie Sullivan; 2nd – “See Me Through Blinded Eyes” by Danny DeLuca; 3rd – “Change” by Isabella Giglio

Nonfiction/Memoirs (Adult): 1st – “23 and the Village Toy Shop and Me” by Kate Devine; 2nd – “Southerner Shines” by Bob Ryan; 3rd – “How Did I Get Here?” by Richard Sagotsky

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jun 28 2024. Filed under Featured Content. Both comments and pings are currently closed.