2022 OWL Youth
Writing Contest

For grades 7-12

Cindy McIntyre, Chairperson of the Ozarks Writers League youth contest, reported that Missouri and Arkansas submitted stories and poems from 12 public schools and 2 homeschools in the Ozarks. Richland, Missouri, introduced their writings to OWL for the first time, and three Richland students won awards. In Carthage, Missouri, Katherine Wagner entered pieces for each category (fiction, holiday, poetry) and found winning success. Congratulations to all who participated!

– Categories –

• Fictional short story—Sponsor: Larry Wood

• Non-fiction short story—Sponsor: Russell Gayer

• Poetry—Sponsor: Veda Boyd Jones

Congratulations to the Winners!

FICTION

First place
"His Wish" by Kai McVay
Southwest Junior High School, 9th

Second place
"Crossroads" by Katherine Wagner
Carthage High School, 10th

Third Place
"No Talking" by Kylee Mellody
Richland High School, 10th

Honorable Mention
"All I Crave" by Brooklyn Dickens
Richland High School, 10th

HOLIDAY SHORT STORY

First Place
"Dear Grandpa" by Katherine Wagner
Carthage High School, 10th

Second Place
"No More Thanksgiving" by Mila Baethke
Harrison Middle School, 7th

Third Place
"The Creepy Night in Missouri" by Kaleb Poulson
Richland High School, 12th

POETRY

First place
"Instinct" by Lizette Sanchez
Rogers New Technology High School, 9th

Second place
"I Bet" by Katherine Wagner
Carthage High School, 10th

Third Place
"Sonnet of Slumber" by Esther Exley
Homeschool, 8th

Richland High School had three winners in the youth contest this year!



Left to right:

Holiday Story-3rd place
Kaleb Poulson with "A Creepy Night in Missouri"

Fiction-3rd place
Kylee Mellody with "No Talking"

Fiction-Honorable Mention
Brooklynn Dickens with "All I Crave"