GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club recognizes student writers

On Monday, Feb. 12, the gathering room at ArtStart was overflowing with supporters of local student creative writing. Teachers, students, parents, and family members were celebrating an exhibit of 85 writing pieces, all entries in the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club’s 7th annual Youth Creative Writing Contest.

“Woman’s Club has a commitment to encourage the visual arts, literature, and performing arts in the community,” the chairperson of the event, Cindy Goff, explained in a press release. “Education is also part of our mission, so it follows that we reach out to educators for samples of students’ short stories and poetry. This annual event gives us a chance to congratulate students and to promote our local youths’ talents. The get-together was a wonderful fellowship time to mingle with students, families, and educators.”

Public and parochial students, plus home-schooled students in grades K-8, submitted 67 shorts stories and 17 poems for judging. Students were allowed to choose their own topic or theme. Participation certificates and ribbons were given, and Culver’s provided ice cream tokens. 

Juried awards were divided by grade categories and consisted of certificates, ribbons, and cash prizes.

The results of the judging were as follows:

K-2 short story and poem awards went to 1-Wesley Hoekstra “The Lightning Strikes,” 1-Darren Yasar “Foodie,” 3-Landon Scheuremann, “All the Seasons,” Honorable Mention: Finley Sheppard, “Jet Boy.”

In the grades 3-5 short story category, it was 1-Nolan Ory “Bob the Cob Saves the Day,” 2-Olivia Ory “Luna the Moon Unicorn,” 3-Celia Katzke “My Grandma’s House,” Honorable Mention: Norah Webster “Why Hummingbird Is So Fast.”

Grades 3-5 poetry winners were 1-Isabelle Kilen “The Classroom,” 2-Allison Huelskamp “Basketball,” 3-Naomi Borkenhagen “Snow on Snow,” Honorable Mention: Quintin Hoekstra “Little Things.”

For grades 6-8, short story awards went to 1-Quinn Williams “Lonna Ala and the Cookie Dough Catastrophe,” 2-Kenna Ready “The Knight’s Quest,” 3-Alaina Aylesworth “I Wish … for Books,”

Honorable Mention: Magdalena Holt “Fig Hunting,” Honorable Mention: Karigan Maass “The Wanted End.”

6-8 poetry recognition was given to 1-Lainey Schuppler “Burning Homes,” 2-Wyatt Peters “Edward’s Last Christmas,” 3-Hailey Novak “A Light in Darkness,” Honorable Mention: Helen Beuning “If Everything.”

The club’s next youth event is the Helen Mears Art Contest for middle schoolers.  

Once again, all public, parochial, and homeschooled students are welcomed to participate. 

Art mediums showcased are: painting, drawing, 3D, and ceramics.  Submissions are due Friday,  March 15.  

For more information, contact Heather Sturtevant at 715-550-7952.