MCA hosting La Plume Young Writer's Contest

The third annual La Plume Young Writers’ Contest will host their awards ceremony Friday, November 15 from 7-9 pm at the MCA academy Recital Hall at 2911 Grand Avenue (next to the Improv building at the Shoppes of Mayfair). The public is invited to attend. More than 100 students from grades 3-12 who attend schools in Coconut Grove, or who live in the Grove and go to school elsewhere entered the contest this year.

Students wrote their stories during the summer for review by a panel of judges that include published writers, editors, actors, journalists, librarians, educators/professors, and artists. Here is a list of the award winners with the student, grade at time of submission, title of their work, school and the teacher or 2013:

GRAND PRIZE - Emma Beharry (was 3rd Grade) “When The Animals Could Talk” - from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Ms. Julia Connett, teacher

Katherine Cohen (was 8th Grade) “Silence’s Sound” - from Carver Middle School, Mr. Patrick Redmond, teacher

Hannah Junco (was 12th Grade) “I Remember” - homeschooled

FIRST PLACE - Madison Forrest (was 3rd grade) “How Mustaches Were Brought To Humans” - from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Ms. Julia Connett, teacher

Ryan Guillen (was 8th grade) “Rottweilers, Stop Signs and Handcuffs” - from Ransom Everglades School, Ms. Weiss, teacher

Two winners in High School

Iona Hennessy (was 9th grade) “Glass” - from Coral Gables Senior High School, Ms. Vidal, teacher

Sarah Lipshultz (was 10th grade) “What Would You Do If You Knew You Could not Fail?” - from Palmer Trinity, Ms. Catie Cunning, teacher

SECOND PLACE - Sidny Sigurlin-Hall (was 3rd grade) “A Flash Into The Future” - from Ludlam Elementary, Ms. Joan Levine, teacher

Fernanda Altamirano (was 6th grade) “The Calling Within A Dream” - from St. Hugh School, Mr. Lazaro Suarez, teacher

Tori Lutz (was 11th grade) “Picture Perfect” - from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Ms. Lyana Azan, teacher

THIRD PLACE - Andrea Altamirano (was 3rd grade) “The Legend Of The Dark Side Of The Moon” - from St. Hugh School,  Ms. Gail Gomez, teacher

Noa Lesche  (was 6th grade) “The World Seen” - from Carver Middle School,  Ms. Emily Wilson, teacher

Camila Carballo (was 10th grade) “The Final Mission” - from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Ms. Lyana Azan, teacher

SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THE OTHER FINALISTS

Elementary: Emily Lawrence, Kiana Perez-Ulivi, Adriana Tarridas, Eleonor Thorman and Shelby Wooster

Middle: Stephanie Bailey, Alexander Behar, Lucie Farrell, Quinn Harrelson, Madeleine Jolie and Amanda Monteiro

High School: Madison Navas-Curson

The La Plume contest was created by the MCA Academy and the Bookstore in the Grove in 2011 to encourage young writers to express themselves and to provide an opportunity for students to have their work evaluated professionally and published. The first year was so successful that the contest was expanded beyond middle school to include high school and elementary students.

“La Plume was well received by students and teachers last year,” according to Brigitte Kishlar, president of MCA academy. “A wide spectrum of students with different backgrounds and cultures submitted some very original and engaging compositions.”

Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each level. The Grand Prize winner gets $350 and two one-year passes to Paragon Theaters.  The award ceremony, reception with refreshments and book signing is free and open to the public.

MCA academy is a private school for students with talents beyond school.  The intense college preparatory curriculum builds confidence and provides an environment leading to success for students whose passions may eventually take them into careers in professional sports, the arts, acting and other non-traditional pursuits.

For more information, please call 305-442-2283 or visit www.mcaacademy.com.