CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., April 27, 2009 — Twenty-five of the best young writers from among 75 schools in Southeast Missouri and the St. Louis metropolitan area were honored April 25 at the 28th annual Southeast Missouri Writing Achievement Awards program.
The ceremony was held at the University Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.
The program began in 1982 by the University’s Department of English, which sponsors the annual program to encourage students in grades four through 12 in their writing.
This year’s ceremony followed a presentation by Kara Bollinger, former Writing Achievement Award participant and graduate of Truman State University. She discussed her experience and transition as a young writer into someone who works helping other writers. She will be attending the University of Kansas in the fall and will be working towards a master of arts degree in rhetoric and composition.
The winning entries, judged by a team of Southeast Missouri State University English faculty, represent some of the best young writers in the state. At the ceremony, first-place awards and honorable-mention awards were presented to writers of fiction, essays, and poetry in three grade ranges: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The winning entries were published in booklet form and presented to the winners and their schools. All winners also received special T-shirts and certificates of achievement.
For more information on the awards, contact Dr. Karen Carcia, assistant professor of English at Southeast, at 651-2618.
2009 Southeast Missouri Writing Achievement Award Winners
Essay, Grades 4-6First Place: Blake Eeftink, Leopold R-3 Honorable Mention: Jonas Schwent, Ste. Genevieve R-II Middle SchoolHonorable Mention: Klara Beel, Leopold R-3
From left are Klara Beel, Blake Eeftink and Jonas Schwent.
Essay, Grades 7-9First Place: Noah Eby, Clayton High SchoolHonorable Mention: Rachel Mattingly, Central R-III Park HillsHonorable Mention: Kenna Wofford, Ste. Genevieve R-II Middle School
Noah Eby
Essay, Grades 10-12First Place: Ashley Duncan, New Madrid County Central High SchoolHonorable Mention: Elizabeth Engram, Sikeston High SchoolHonorable Mention: Sarah Gordon, Villa Duchesne Oak Hill School
Ashley Duncan
Poetry, Grades 4-6First Place: Brandi Bertrand, Nell Holcomb R-IVHonorable Mention: Chetanna Amazu, Glenridge ElementaryHonorable Mention: Peyton Knight, Glenridge Elementary
Brandi Bertrand
Poetry, Grades 7-9First Place: Caitlyn Bess, Jackson Jr. High Honorable Mention: Parker Brown Leopold SchoolHonorable Mention: Savannah Hess, Nell Holcomb R-IV
Caitlyn Bess
Poetry, Grades 10-12First Place: Molly Broughton, Cape Central High SchoolHonorable Mention: Taylor Poore, Jackson High SchoolHonorable Mention: Lindsey Lotz, Central Visual and Performing ArtsHonorable Mention: Sarah Gordon, Villa Duchesne Oak Hill School
Molly Broughton
Fiction, Grades 4-6First Place: Shirley Zhao, Glenridge Elementary SchoolHonorable Mention: Sara Landers, Gideon Elementary SchoolHonorable Mention: Jonathan Elkins, Ames Visual Performing Arts Center
From left are Sara Landers and Jonathan Elkins.
Fiction, Grades 7-9First Place: Kaitlynn Wessman, Poplar Bluff Junior High SchoolHonorable Mention: Rosalind Cuneo, Clayton High SchoolHonorable Mention: Caitlyn Bess, Jackson Jr. High School 
From left are Caitlyn Bess and Kaitlynn Wessman.
Fiction, Grades 10-12First Place: Megan Beney, McCluer North High SchoolHonorable Mention: Hannah Callahan, Clayton HighSchoolHonorable Mention: Amy Beel, Leopold HighSchool 
From left are Amy Beel and Megan Beney.