By Angela Reinhardt, Staff Writer originally published in the Pickens County Progress
Nearly 200 students and parents were in attendance at the Sassafras Literary Exchange’s 42nd Annual Youth Writing Contest Awards Ceremony, where winners were announced in poetry, non-fiction and fiction categories.
The event was held at Jasper United Methodist Church on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Keynote speaker Jim Bresica, a decorated Vietnam veteran who writes columns for The Pickens Progress and The Smoke Signals, delivered a humorous and genuine speech about his foray into the writing world, provided writing tips, and discussed the multitude of benefits writing can bring to a person’s life.
Bresica, 78, told students he isn’t as old as the dinosaurs or pyramids, but at his age “I can still write….it’s something that can be utilized your entire life.”
He advised students to read and write consistently to become better writers, to be original, write what they know, and develop a good hook. He said writing helps develops communication skills including how to be clear and concise, and he touched on careers that utilize strong writing skills such as writing for television or political writing.
Following Bresica’s speech, members of the Sassafras Literary Exchange presented awards to middle school and high school students. Prize money was awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
Sassafras president William Young, as well as board member Maria Bowling and author Jessica Bowers made presentations. Young, who said he wasn’t as old as dirt but was older than power steering and calculators, told students “the written word isn’t going away.” Bowers said when she was a student in Pickens County she submitted one piece to the Sassafras Youth Writing Contest and after she didn’t win, “I let it get in my head and never submitted again. It’s an act of courage for you all to submit your writing, and I applaud you for that.”
Community Bank of Pickens County sponsored awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Learn more about Sassafras Literary Exchange on their revamped website at www.sassafrasliterary.org.
Photos by Angela Reinhardt (Names are not listed left to right. Some students not in attendance).
High School Fiction
1st – Samuel Thompson
2nd – Henry Moody
3rd – Heidi Thompson
Honorable Mentions – Olivia Yoakem, Evan Gibson, Mei-Ling Schoeneman, Jackson Willingham, Johnathan Rodney
“The written word isn’t going away,” says Sassafras president
Middle School Fiction
1st – Emma Shake
2nd – Mollie Thomas
3rd – Sean McCool
Honorable Mentions – Aria Holbrook, Sawyer Gaddis, Gabe Atkins, Josie Thompson
High School Nonfiction
1st – Dreama Goode
2nd – Diego Rivera
3rd – Mia Cochran
Honorable Mentions – Arianna Hand, Grace Cowart, Kurt Nicholson
Middle School Nonfiction
1st – Nevie Golden
2nd – Noah Newton
3rd – Luke Mason
Honorable Mentions – Jayden Champlin, Diesel Poole
High School Poetry
1st – Keaton Koch
2nd – Aubrey Henrey
3rd – Bethany Franklin
Honorable Mentions – Madeline Coleman, Olivia Smith, Emi Deetlefs, Miah Norton, Caleb Dixon
Middle School Poetry
1st – Townson Rickenbaker
2nd – Zoey Stav
3rd – Vivian White
Honorable Mentions – Sophie Heine, Emma Hedelius, Jack Welchel, Emilie Del Rossi, Will McDaniel, Michele Franklin