1st Place – Pandemic Percussion
by Athena Gillespie, 06/30/2020, Traverse City, MI
High School 9-12 Category
As I lay in bed, the natural light from my window slowly dwindling, I hear them. A cacophony of drums, maracas, pots, pans, and more. I glance at the clock. 8:00 PM on the dot. I wasn’t expecting a tradition that started in March to last all the way to May, but it was something I had adjusted to and learned to appreciate. Every night, my neighbors stood on their porches and banged on drums, etc. for one full minute. No less, and (usually) no more . . .
3rd Place – New Tricks for Old Dogs
by Robert Brintnall, 06/13/2020, Buckley, MI
Adult Category
New Tricks for Old Dogs
At a staff meeting earlier this year the principal demonstrated a teaching tool where kids held up a special card to represent their answer to a question. Then the teacher could scan the whole room with an app on their phone and instantly project the results on a screen . . .
1st Place – La Ventana Cerrando
by Ella Kirkwood, 05/24/2020, Traverse City, MI
Middle School 6-8 Category
La Ventana: Climbing term used to describe the perfect window of opportunity for an ascent; Also, “the Window” in Spanish.
Cerrando: closing.
We had great expectations for 2020 . . .
Special Mention – How The Corona Virus Impacted Me
by Savannah Wells, 05/13/2020, Boyne City, Mi
Elementary K-5 Category
Hi, my name is Savannah Wells and, well, I’m going to be telling you how my life has changed because of the Corona Virus. My mom is a flight attendant so she is considered an essential worker but according to the CDC guidelines, she is at high risk so she cannot work but she is still getting a portion of her pay so for a family of 5 we can barely make a living, but because of our wonderful schools and city, we can have snacks and a full meal . . .
3rd Place – Internal Drama
by Akyedzi Acheampong, 05/12/2020, Traverse City, MI
Elementary K-5 Category
Hi, my name is Akyedzi but you can call me Chez and this is what is going on in my head. Wait can pigs fly? When did I get a cow? Oh, I don’t have a cow. What’s the difference between a potato and a potato? Why am I doing this anyway? Oh yeah it is for a prize. Now I am . . .
2nd Place – Hi-lo, hi..low times
by Ashley Bursian, May 9th, 2020, traverse city, Mi
Adult Category
Luckily for me, I have some experience with the hardships of quarantine.
There was once a point in my life, while homeless, that myself and two sons lived year round in a 1964 hi-lo camper, for 2 years. This is a camper about the size of an average household bathroom, or small, studio apartment size kitchen, perhaps, to warrant perspective . . .
2nd Place – At Home
by Mae Schillinger, 05/07/2020, Traverse City, MI
Elementary K-5 Category
The deer are running across the backyard.
I am six.
Will this Corona virus ever stop? . .
2nd Place – Taken for Granted
by Alyssa Masiewicz, 05/07/2020, Traverse City, MI
High School 9-12 Category
Before this global pandemic occurred, I never realized how lucky I was. I had two working parents. I got to go to school and be with my friends. I got to go to class and ask questions to teachers in person . . .
1st Place – Nelly Thinks
by Issabelle Brooks, 04/17/2020, Beulah, MI
Elementary K-5 Category
“Oh hey! I didn’t smell you there!” My name is Nelly. I am a German Shorthair Pointer. I’m almost a year old but I am the queen of my house. I love to help clean dad’s toes.
My sworn enemy is kitty the cat. She is as black as your nightmares . . .
1st Place – Touch
by Anne-Marie Oomen
04/09/2020, Empire, MI
Adult Category
I walked the empty road to a neighbor’s house.
I hesitated to knock—I’d have to touch the door,
but then I did. She came, her hair mussed,
smiled, and put her palm against the glass
and I put mine against the cool on my side.
