Milford Young Women's Club Announces Winners of Annual Writing Contest

From the Milford Young Women's Club:

The sheer number of more than 250 entries needing to be judged is something to take notice of for any contest. When the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Milford Young Women’s Club receives its extensive number of entries for its annual Milford Youth Creative Writing Contest, a judge needs to be committed. But that is the case for this contest, now in its 20th year.

Milford students in grades 1-12 submitted their creative writing entries in poetry and short stories throughout the past few months, and 25 students were chosen to be first and second place winners from nine different, local schools.

Milford youth had an opportunity of entering poems or short stories either on their own or through school into the contest.

"The writing contest is held annually to encourage creative writing skills, to recognize outstanding achievements in writing, and to enhance self-esteem," said club president Dr. Telka di Fate.

Each year, it seems that it becomes more and more important to recognize youth in a positive way since so many negative actions by youth get media attention. Five years ago, the Milford Young Women’s Club realized the event had out grown its previous reception locations, so once again, it will be held at Milford’s City Hall.

The student winners will receive their awards at a reception recently at city hall in Milford.

"We also recognize the teachers that do such an outstanding job in our community," said Dr. di Fate, “because we all know how important it is to have great teachers in the classroom with our children.”

The following students will be recognized for poetry from the following schools and in various age categories: Ben White from Mathewson School (second grade, "Blizzard) and Nate Santarcanelo from Mathewson School (second grade, "Blizzard"); Pia DelCegno from Calf Pen Meadow School (fourth grade, "Poppy Sky), Ellen Pan from Live Oaks School (fourth grade, "Mother's Day") and Jack Thomas Pia from Orchard Hills School (fourth grade, "Lightning"); Allison Scicchitano from Orchard Hills Schoo (fifth grade, "Thunderstorms), Anika Thite from St. James School in Stratford (sixth grade, "A Day at the Ocean, Oh! What a Magnificent Galore!"), Ryee Tondora from Harborside Middle School (sixth grade, "Yellow's Charm") and Lucas Piselli from Harborside Middle School (sixth grade, "Legendary Green"); Siobhan Ekeh from West Shore Middle School (seventh grade, "Remember the Girl in the Casket") and Kaylee Osborne from East Shore Middle School (eigth grade, "Thou Like Love") and Colleen Hugo from J. Law High School (10th grade, "Hey Sister").

Shorty story honorable mentions are Ben White from Mathewson School (second grade, "One Day in the Life of a Teenager’s iPhone"), Aryan Sikhinam from Mathewson School (second grade, "One day in the Life of Benjamin, the Hundred Dollar Bill") and Fiorella Gargiulo from Pumpkin Delight (second grade, "There’s a Creature in My House"); Juliana Dalmacio from Mathewson School (third grade, "The Dog that Saved Other Dogs"), Maia Matula from Live Oaks School (fourth grade, "Every Reaction"), Kyleigh Sand from Mathewson School (third grade, "The Witch and the Bread Maker") and Grace Mrsich from Orange Avenue School (fourth grade, "The Three Outs); Jordan Hines from Orchard Hills School (fifth grade, "The Guide to Eating a Bullfrog"), Miranda Meyer from J.F. Kennedy School (fifth grade, "My Hospital Visit") and Madeline Elmo from Orchard Hills School (fifth grade, "Why There is a Dark Moon"); Kayleigh Hackett (seventh grade, "Three Sirens") and Risha Kothari from East Shore Middle School (eigth grade, "Kings, Queens, Jacks and Heroes").

First-place poetry students are Sabrina Sayed from Meadowside School (first grade, "While I Drive"), Liam Dickman from Mathewson School (fourth grade, "I Am Poem"), Isabella Mema from Harborside Middle School (sixth grade, "Aqua's Story"), Justine Junga from Harborside Middle School (eighth grade, "Acceptance") and Stephany Acero from J. Law High School (12th grade, "Grief").

First-place short story students are Agatha Correa from Mathewson School (first grade, "My Uncle's Wedding"), Tyler ethercott from Mathewson School (fourth grade, "Gizmo"), Maya Rosado from Meadowside School (fifth grade, "The Gerd") and Kaylee Osborne from East Shore Middle School (eigth grade, "My Prince").

The General Federation of Women's Clubs is the world’s oldest and largest international women's volunteer organization. The Milford Young Women's Club is the only young women's club in Connecticut that is a member of this prestigious organization. They have entire departments dedicated to literature, the arts and education. This contest is just one of many projects that this organization promotes.

The GFWC-Milford Young Women's Club also organized a youth division for girl’s 11-18, called the GFWC-Milford Girl’s Volunteer Organization. These youth organize educational and community service activities along with arts and crafts, environmental, international projects and more. Membership is open to girls and women from all local towns.

According to the judges for the contest, this year’s entries were extremely difficult to judge because the quality was outstanding. The judges spent many hours reading and judging these entries and had a difficult time choosing winners. As a result in some categories, more than one honorable mention winner was given.

"This contest gives a lot of encouragement to the students. You can see it in their faces when they receive their awards," commented di Fate.

Students are also reminded that they can continue to enter each year through grade 12 even if they have won previously. Home-schooled students are also welcome to enter since the contest is for any Milford resident in grades 1-12.