Submitted by Lacey Timberland Library
Lacey Loves to Read (LL2R) is an annual community-wide literacy program that occurs each February, and just celebrated its 15th anniversary. LL2R is a partnership between the City of Lacey, Lacey South Sound Chamber, North Thurston Public Schools, and the Lacey Timberland Library that focuses on literacy. The Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library are the primary sponsors of the program that features a bookmark making contest and teen writing contest along with other events and activities.
Each year, the program celebrates books, writing, and writers through the lens of a single award-winning children’s author. This year’s featured author was Kate DiCamillo, a best-selling author and recipient of the Newbery Medal (“Flora & Ulysses”, 2014 and “The Tale of Despereaux”, 2004), the Newbery Honor (“Because of Winn-Dixie”, 2001), the Boston Globe Horn Book Award (“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”, 2006), and the Theodor Geisel Medal and honor (“Bink and Gollie”, co-author Alison McGhee, 2011 and “Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride”, 2007).
Her best-selling and beloved books feature themes of love, loss, friendship, and family.
Participants in this year’s LL2R Teen Writers Contest were asked to explore those themes of love, loss, friendship, and family in their essay, short story, and cover art submissions. Winners were selected based on how well entries reflected these themes in their writing or artwork.
Not pictured – Melbin Gomez, (2nd place Essay). Photo courtesy: Lacey Timberland Library
2018 Winners
Cover Art: “Friends” by Jerry R. Crawford, 6th grade, Aspire Middle School
Short Story:
1st place – “Knight of Ancient Sands” by Joy Tobias, 10th grade, North Thurston High School
2nd place – “Snowflake” by Olivia N. Pries, 7th grade, Chinook Middle School
3rd place – “Defector” by Cindi Bailey, 8th grade, Komachin Middle School
Honorable Mention – “Death Wears A Leather Jacket” by Kya-Lynn Rassler, 10th grade, North Thurston High School (NTHS)
Essay:
1st place – “Music Never Gives Up on You” by Heta Honanie, 10th grade, NTHS
2nd place – “The World Needs Love” by Melbin Gomez, 10th grade, NTHS
3rd place – “Loss of Life” by Kaitlinn Hammond-Merryman, 10th grade, NTHS
The winning stories, essays, and artwork were published in the 2018 Teen Writer’s Collection eBook. Winners were invited to a V.I.P. reception on March 1 to meet DiCamillo, and received copies of her books. Other prizes included an Amazon Kindle Fire for first place entries, Amazon gift cards for varying amounts, a tote bag, a LL2R pencil, and a USB drive containing a copy of the eBook. Artist Jerry R. Crawford also received a framed print of his eBook cover design.
