Grades 9-10

Youth in grades 9-10 submitted excellent works of fiction that ranged from contemporary stories to sprawling science fiction sagas. The six stories in this section were narrowed down from all submissions in the grade category. In first place was Rhett LeBeau’s “As Above, So Below,” a Lovecraft-inspired masterpiece. Second place went to “Never a Hero’s Death” by Lucia Floan, a thrilling tale about a double agent trying to keep her family safe. Third place went to “More Than Just a Memory” by Julia McBride, a mournful tale of a marine’s lost love in the aftermath of Okinawa.

The honorable mentions in this grade category included “The Honor of a Knight” by Audrey High, an engaging tale of a lady knight joining the round table, “Always” by Anna Moline,  a story about friends in love, and “The Taxi in the Rain” by Hannah Jemming, a conversational tale between a cab driver and a passenger about letting go of the past.