New England Outdoor Writers Association's first annual Youth Writing Contest

Tom Fuller, accomplished author (and Mrs. Fuller's husband!) and outdoor writer, got the Belchertown Public Schools on board for this inaugural year of the Youth Writing Contest.

The Contest: 

The written topics must be an outdoor-oriented topic of the student’s choosing. Appropriate topics include the following: hunting, fishing, boating, archery, shooting, field trials, sporting dogs, camping, woodcraft, skin diving, scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, trapping, snowshoeing, wildlife watching, natural history, conservation, ecology, and similar activities which add to the knowledge and enjoyment of nature and natural resources... not exceed 500 words. 

The students responded with a celebration of place and community, the BHS Woodland Ecology classes responding to the prompt "This is Where I Live... " and the 8th grade writing Pastoral Poems.  Other students submitted work by following their inner muse.

We are delighted to say that Katelyn's story is being transformed into an illustrated childrens' book (in consultation with the Clapp Memorial Library) with Science pages.

We are thrilled to say that Matt's Pastoral Poem went on to win the Massachusetts state prize.
Kudo's to Matt and all of his teachers!!

Left to right, Cheryl Cummings - JBMS Science, Jen Poli and Ginny Doucette - JBMS English, Tom Fuller, Devon Gneda - BHS finalist, Katelyn Clark - BHS winner, Casey Waskiewicz - JBMS finalist, Matthew Davidsohn - JBMS and Massachusetts state winner, Gillian Follett - JBMS finalist, Louise Levy - BHS Science.  Not pictured, Ruthann Sterling - BHS finalist

Stay tuned for next years contest!!  Information should be available come October.