With 20 participants from all grade levels, it was our freshman writers who swept the competition in this year’s Spring Writing Contest. Anchored in a three-element prompt, writers could compose any kind of story they wanted so long as their work included a redhawk, a lost dog, and a practice. By the stroke of the deadline, there were plenty of impressive works in our submission pool! From fantasy adventures and world-building to rising above disaster and deportation, our winners and runners up offer much to be explored. We hope you enjoy these stories as much as we did.

Short Story

First Place: Emma Lutz (freshman) with Heist, Part One

Runner Up: Oscar Euceda (freshman) with The Light of Charlotte

Short Short Story

First Place: Ayva Vanegas (freshman) with A Treacherous Journey

Runner Up: Ava Beshai (freshman) with Tranquil Defenders

First place winners received a certificate of recognition, a gift card to BAM, and publication of their story in The Pursuit. Runners up received a certificate of recognition and publication of their story in The Pursuit.