Teenage artists and writers demonstrated their creative skills through original poetry, short story, drawing and photography in Pierce County Library System’s 18th annual teen writing and art contest called Our Own Expressions. Thirty-six winners were chosen from the nearly 1,000 entries submitted. See the winning work at a free public event at 7 p.m. on May 28 at Pacific Lutheran University’s Lagerquist Concert Hall.
The library started the contest in 1997 to foster literary expression and creativity in youth. Our Own Expressions is one of the few free, local arts and literature opportunities for young writers and artists to receive public recognition, publication and cash prizes for their work.
Winners received cash prizes from the Pierce County Library Foundation: first place: $100, second place: $75 and third place: $50. Judging the contest were: poet Patrick Flores-Scott, author Randall Platt, photographer Dane Gregory Meyer and artist Mary Smith.
Poetry
- Grades 7-8: 1st—Emily Saletan, University Place; 2nd—Taija Perrycook, Gig Harbor; 3rd—Michelle Smith, Tacoma
- Grades 9-10: 1st—Fiona Macdonald, Gig Harbor; 2nd—Myles Moulton, Bremerton; 3rd—Claudia Speakes, Edgewood
- Grades 11-12: 1st—Claire Summa, Gig Harbor; 2nd—Matthew Pfefferle, Tacoma; 3rd—Christine Lyro, Tacoma
Short Story
- Grades 7-8: 1st—Emma Beha, Spanaway; 2nd—Keir Adamson, Gig Harbor; 3rd—Gabby Trevino, Lakewood
- Grades 9-10: 1st—Abbie Welch, Edgewood; 2nd—Noah Peever, Tacoma; 3rd—Karli Stevenson, Tacoma
- Grades 11-12: 1st—Hana Jang, Tacoma; 2nd—Jessi Pitts, Puyallup; 3rd—Casey Morrison, Tacoma
Photography
- Grades 7-8: 1st—Maddie Anderson, Gig Harbor; 2nd—Taija Perrycook, Gig Harbor; 3rd—Caileigh Gainey, Lakebay
- Grades 9-10: 1st—Meg Low, Puyallup; 2nd—Collin Walker, Puyallup; 3rd—Savannah Bohl, Port Orchard
- Grades 11-12: 1st—Kirsten Kennedy, Bonney Lake; 2nd—Tiana Neuerburg, Puyallup; 3rd—Lara Riekena, Spanaway
Drawing
- Grades 7-8: 1st—Rosalie Roscoe, Gig Harbor; 2nd—Celine Conkle, Bonney Lake; 3rd—Trevor Kvinsland, Gig Harbor
- Grades 9-10: 1st—Bao Nguyen, Tacoma; 2nd—Abbie Welch, Edgewood; 3rd—Nani Woodard, Tacoma
- Grades 11-12: 1st—Chelsie Conroy, Bonney Lake; 2nd—Hanbi Hyon, Lakewood; 3rd—Cole Maurmann, Wauna
The News Tribune, Pacific Lutheran University and Print NW help fund the contest.