Earlier this month, the Friends of the Buda Library announced the winners of its annual Youth Writers Contest.
In the 8-12 age group, Thaddeus Chancellor won first prize with his story of “The Race to Mars,” a tale of adventure starring a rather unlikely crew of space travelers.
In the 13-17 age group, Gabi Rivas won with her piece entitled “Fading Away,” a story about a person’s dream and its meaning.
All told, more than a dozen young writers in both age brackets submitted stories, which were judged by the Hays Free Press. Writers were tasked with creating an original story based on a writing prompt.
The prompt for the 8-12 age bracket was “The astronaut looked out of the window of his spaceship to see nothing,” while the 13-17 group’s prompt was “Gazing up to the moon one cold, dark night, I thought to myself…”
Winners received certificates at the Buda Library Out of this World summer finale event.
First through third place stories can be read online at friendsofthebudalibrary.wildapricot.org.
Youth 13-17 age group
1st place: Fading Away by Gabi Rivas
2nd place: Connections from Across the Galaxy by Noah Mugan
3rd place: perfect. by Madison Rivas
Children 8-12 age group
1st place: The Race to Mars by Thaddeus Chancellor
2nd place: Astronauts with Alchemy by Dorian Chancellor
3rd place: Joe and the Venus Exploration by Nathan Mugan
