More than 60 students submitted to the 3rd 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. Faviola Alba of eStem High School, Erica Batres of Berryville High School, Jeremia Lo of Fayetteville High School, and Gabrielle Thurman of Pottsville High School are scheduled to read their works on March 30 at 6:30pm in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. The event will be held at the Argenta United Methodist Church at 317 Main Street in North Little Rock.
Students in grades 10-12 who plan to attend an in-state school after graduation. ere eligible for the competition, but three of the four finalists are seniors--Ms. Batres is a junior. The contest was open to both works of fiction and nonfiction, but all four finalists submitted works of fiction.
The contest is made possible through a partnership with Laman Public Library of North Little Rock.
"I can't say enough about how supportive the library has been to ARS and this contest," said ARS Director Guy Choate, "That support and the audience who shows up to hear these students read is a reminder of how important it is to encourage the arts in our state. It sends a message to some of our most talented students that they don't have to move away to be able to create."
The panel of judges will be made up of Director of the Laman Library Crystal Gates, Arkansas Life Editor Jordan Hickey, and Oxford American's Jeff Baskin Fellow Micah Fields. Dr. The event is free and open to the public. Details can be found on the Facebook event page.