Teenage artists and writers demonstrated their creative skills through original poetry, short story, drawing and photography in Pierce County Library System’s 19th annual teen writing and art contest called Our Own Expressions. A total of 36 winners were chosen from the 672 entries submitted. See the winning work at a free public event at 7 p.m. on May 27 at Pacific Lutheran University’s Lagerquist Concert Hall.
The library, in partnership with Pierce County Library Foundation, 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 foundation: first place: $100, second place: $75 and third place: $50. Judging the contest were: poet Patrick Flores-Scott, author Travis Prothro, photographer Dane Gregory Meyer and artist Ken Murphy.
Bonney Lake High School
– Senior Katie Lasko placed 1st in 11-12th grade drawing
– Sophomore Claire Defrancesco placed 1st in 9-10 grade drawing
– Sophomore Katlyn Daniels placed 2nd in 9-10 grade drawing
Lakeridge Middle School
– Seventh grader Amelia Day placed 3rd in 7-8th grade short story
Glacier Middle School
– Eighth grader Katherine Hunter placed first in 7-8th grade drawing
Other
– Sophomore Miya McCarter placed 3rd in 9-10th grade photography
