As an author, Melissa Foster, of Boyds, says she likes to promote reading and writing. She met with students at Monocacy Elementary School in Dickerson in late May to talk with them about her work.
She also offered the fourth- and fifth-graders the opportunity to test their creative talents in an Aspiring Writers Contest she developed, sponsored and judged.
“This is my way of giving back, I really enjoy working with kids,” Foster said. “I gave them specific guidelines and a beginning writer’s kit that included six pieces of paper, a pencil, an eraser and a pencil grip.”
Foster told the students they could only use six pieces of paper for their writing and had to do their own illustrations.
About 15 or 20 children participated.
There was going to be only one winner of a $25 gift certificate from each grade, but Foster said her son, Jake, a student at Monocacy, wanted practice as a peer reviewer so he judged the works independently of her.
Fourth-grader Vincent Chim wrote, “Twisted Tales,” a story Foster said wrapped several fairytales into one.
“It was fantastic. He really stepped out of the box,” Foster said. Both she and Jake selected Vincent as a winner.
They did not agree on the next selection.
Fifth-grader Anna Skenderis wrote “The Girl in the Bright Red Nightgown.”
“I was blown away by her ability to write about multiple characters, showing all their emotions in every scene and tie them up at the end of the story, Foster said.
Anna was her choice.
Jake selected Molly Sherman’s “Impression,” so the Fosters came up with another $25 award.
The students received their prizes and all participants got a certificate of merit at the school June 14.
Foster said she hopes to make the Aspiring Writers contest an annual event at the school.
“I didn’t expect to enjoy this prospect as much as I did. I wanted to stir those creative juices,” Foster said.
pmcewan@gazette.net
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