AAUW honors local student authors
The Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles AAUW branch proudly continues its tradition of encouraging and honoring aspiring young writers through its Creative Writing Contest. This year, they celebrated the 46th anniversary of the contest. This long history is a testament to the dedication of local teachers, as well as of branch volunteers.
The winners were chosen earlier this month from over 440 submissions from seventh- and eighth-graders in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles schools. They also accept entries from students in the Tri-Cities who are homeschooled. Young writers submitted creative works in three categories: fiction, poetry and nonfiction. AAUW Branch member judges read every entry carefully, and chose the award winners, as a team, always a daunting task.
This year’s entries included a creative work from a child’s view of the start of the war in their county of Ukraine, to a report on Mike Singletary, the Chicago Bears outstanding defensive end, to memories of a grandmother and her pumpkin pie, to animals’ war on humans destroying their habitat, and to making a difference in the world through kindness, just to name a few.
“I was so impressed with the story telling, the vividness, and the emotion in each of these creative works,” said Anita Walls, AAUW Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles branch president. “It was truly an honor and a privilege to recognize these young authors in front of their peers, their families and their teachers. Warm congratulations to all of the winners!”
In addition to friends and family of the young authors and branch members, the AAUW local branch invited a local published author, Jennifer Wagh, to share her origin story and to hear more about her book, “Eggasaurus,” at the Batavia Public Library event. She lives in Sleepy Hollow with her husband, three kids, and a leopard gecko named Bibi.
As a former preschool teacher, she loves to enthusiastically read picture books aloud. She enjoys kayaking on the Fox River and is trying to learn to play the ukulele. She found a love for writing in middle school when she took part in the St. Catherine of Siena Young Authors Fair. As a finalist, she met local author Charlotte Towner Graber for a special luncheon. It sparked a passion that carried on into her career as a teacher, mom, and more. Visit her at JenniferWagh.com.
The AAUW thanks all the teachers and parents for supporting their children’s interest in writing. Congratulations to all!
Seventh-grade fiction
• First place: Alexander White, Rotolo Middle School in Batavia
• Second place: Ava Wilkes, Rotolo Middle School
• Third place: Audrey Scheider, Wredling Middle School in St. Charles
Seventh-grade poetry
• First place: Shea Johns, Rotolo Middle School
• Second place: Sadie Schmidt, Thompson Middle School in St. Charles
• Third place: Sofi Das, Thompson Middle School
Seventh-grade nonfiction
• First place: Gwen Pershing, Rotolo Middle School
• Second place: Paxton Mason, Rotolo Middle School
• Third place: Anna Lukach, Wredling Middle School
Eighth-grade fiction
• First place: Evie Merriman, Rotolo Middle School
• Second place: Aditi Balla, Thompson Middle School
• Third place: Matilda Karkosch, Thompson Middle School
Eighth-grade poetry
• First place: Reagan Selvick, Thompson Middle School
• Second place: Krishna Mani, Thompson Middle School
• Third place: Gillian James, Thompson Middle School
Eighth-grade nonfiction
• First place: Chloe Rupar, Thompson Middle School
• Second place: Sophia Eirene Capaque, St. Peter’s School in Geneva
• Third place: Corbin Sinnett, Thompson Middle School
AAUW is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has been advocating for women and girls for almost 150 years. It promotes fairness and success in education, sports, equal pay, and leadership. For example, they lobby congressional offices on bills and issues that impact women and they support graduate women’s career success through $6 million in grants and fellowships.
The local Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles branch is a state leader in training for the Dignity Index, a method for analyzing the dignity of speech with the goal of changing how people listen, respond and relate to each other. They regularly host interesting speakers that align with the mission for supporting and promoting women. Additionally, they promote fellowship among members via social activities such as book groups, outings and games. If you would like more information about the AAUW Branch and activities, email membershipaauw@yahoo.com or visit sites.google.com/site/bgstcaauw/.