More than 50 students submitted to the 2nd Annual Argenta Reading Series High School Writing Contest, but the field has been narrowed to four finalists who each receive $500 and the chance to compete for the $1,000 top prize. Madeline Knight of Harmony Grove High School, John Hoelzeman of Sacred Heart Catholic School, Katelynn Tyner of Cabot High School and Sarah Ward of Cross County High School will read their works on May 5 at 6:30pm in front of a live audience and panel of judges. The event will be held at the Arkansas Reportory Theatre Annex on Main Street in Little Rock.
Students in grades 10-12 were eligible for the competition, but all of the finalists are seniors who submitted either fiction or nonfiction works and who plan to attend an in-state school after graduation.
The contest is made possible through a partnership with Laman Public Library of North Little Rock.
"The library has been very supportive of what we're doing to encourage the creation of creative writing in our state," said ARS Director Guy Choate, "I've read the work these students have submitted and I'm excited to be able to share them with our audience at Argenta Reading Series."
The panel of judges will be made up of Director of the Laman Library Crystal Gates, Arkansas Life Editor Katie Bridges, and Hendrix College Professor Dr. Alex Vernon. The May 5 event is free and open to the public.