We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest Reception

media release: Six young Madison writers were announced and recognized on Thursday as the winners of Madison Public Library and Forward Madison FC’s third annual WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest.

Overall Winners:

• Grand Prize Winner: Grace Huang, 17,  Madison West High School senior, for Speak English
• Runner Up: Nora Irene Moran, 11,  Immaculate Heart of Mary School sixth-grader, for A Spark
• Runner Up: Ash Gartler (pen name A.G.), 14, Madison West High School freshman, for there are no stars here

The three winners were presented with Forward Madison FC gear and recognized at halftime of  Forward Madison's game on Thursday, August 29. The winners will also receive cash prizes thanks to the Madison Public Library Foundation: The Grand Prize Winner will receive $500, and the Runners-Up will receive $250 each. Additionally, three other youth writers were recognized for having exceptional stories in their respective age groups and will receive $100 each from Madison Public Library Foundation:

• Elementary School Age Group Finalist – Ellis Biller, 9, a fourth-grader at Gompers Elementary School, for The Snake and the Hamster
• Elementary School Age Group Finalist – Sofie Tregre, 10, for Moon
• Middle School Age Group Finalist  – Lily Nguyen, 11, a sixth-grader at Core Knowledge Charter School, for Saving Strangers

The Grand Prize Award-winning story this year, Speak English, encapsulates the contest’s theme of Celebrate Small Heroes by telling the story of a small act of kindness having a big impact on Huang’s life. Huang, who said she faced many language and racial barriers in her childhood, wrote about one classmate who showed acceptance and friendship when other classmates didn’t. All of the six winning stories are available to read online now at madpl.org/youthvoices.

“I think [the contest is] a great way to get your perspective and story out there,” said WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest Youth Ambassador Diya Dhawal. “Everyone has a very different mind. Everyone has a different perspective. Getting something out there and writing something is a great accomplishment. You don’t have to win. It’s just a huge accomplishment to even submit to it.”

Although only six stories won prizes, 50 youth will see their work published both online and in print in the WE READ Youth Voices Anthology in the fall. The print version will be available at all Madison Public Library locations and at all Madison Metropolitan School District library locations.

All featured youth authors will be able to pick up a physical copy of the anthology on Saturday, October 19, in the Children’s Area on the lower level of Central Library as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration. The festival, which is a contest partner,  is also honoring the authors with a short reception at 9:30 a.m. on October 19. The Grand Prize Winner and Runners-Up will have the opportunity to read their work and do a short Q&A with other attendees.

"One of my absolute favorite memories from last year's Fall Celebration was the WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest reception,” said Wisconsin Book Festival Director Jane Rotonda. “The energy and excitement were a perfect reminder of the powerful impact books, reading, and writing can have, no matter what your age. We're fortunate to have a library program and literary community that honors our talented youth, and celebrates their imagination and creativity. Don't miss this year's event; it's sure to make you smile and feel inspired."

Families and youth authors are invited to stay after the reception for a youth-centered Wisconsin Book Festival author event as well.

The WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest received 130 submissions from children ages 5 to 18, all of which were reviewed and selected by a carefully chosen panel of judges from the Madison community:

• Diya Dhawal, the Youth Ambassador for the contest and past Grand Prize Winner
• Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller
• Forward Madison FC goalkeeper Martin Sanchez
• Laura Bird, author and volunteer for Madison Public Library Foundation and the Wisconsin Book Festival
• Bianca Martin, City Cast Madison podcast host and storyteller

The WE READ program is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Dick Goldberg & Lisa Munro, and Jane Doughty & David Wood.