PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — More than 150 talented students celebrated their achievements in writing at the 2017 Young Author’s Institute at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Friday.
Aroostook Right to Read sponsors the local Young Author’s contest and published a compilation book of students’ works titled “Potatoes & Pussywillows.”
The book features the poetry and prose of Aroostook County students in Grades 4-8.
Students take part in a songwriting workshop at the 2017 Young Authors Institute on Friday, May 5.
(Jessica Potila)
“Promoting literacy encompassing reading, writing, listening, and speaking across the curriculum among students, educators, and parents,” is the mission statement of Aroostook Right to Read.
Many of the students drew on local themes with their creative writing.
Elyssa Violette of Van Buren Elementary School wrote “The Box!” about a potato picking boy who “liked to tinker” and who ultimately inherited the family farm — named The County Farm — after he discovered a gold box buried by an ancestor.
In “The Amazing but Scary Skiing Adventure,” which Emerson Bois of Fort Kent wrote, two terrified girls manage to escape a menacing Bigfoot-like creature stalking them at Lonesome Pine Trails ski resort.
“The Legend of the Pan Flute Reaper,” by Ethan Hayes of Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville is about a “cloaked creature” who turns children into monsters. Macy Bard of Valley Rivers Middle School in Fort Kent tackled the topic of schizophrenia and suicide in the fictional short story “Static.”
All of the students featured in “Potatoes and Pussywillows” received copies of the book as well as certificates of recognition and participated in workshops of their choice related to writing. Among the options were workshops on poetry and songwriting. Northeast Publishing Manager Andrew Birden conducted one workshop on journalism.
The artwork of student Amalla Peterson is featured on the cover of “Potatoes & Pussywillows.”
The featured guest speaker at the Young Author’s Institute was Newberry Honor Author Cynthia Lord of Brunswick. Lord has published 14 children’s books, including the Hot Rod Hamster series.
2017 Young Authors from the St. John Valley are:
Fort Kent Elementary School — Adeline Shanahan, Lillian Lozier, Leah Soucy, Abby Levesque, Darcie Fongemie, Emerson Bois, and Morgan Soucy;
Valley Rivers Middle School, Fort Kent — Ashley Daigle, Caitlyn Daigle, Ellie Ouellette, Macy Bard, Jana Nadeau, Esther Grange, Abigail Pettengill, Gracy Labbe, and Emily Fournier.
Dr. Levesque Elementary School, Frenchville — Ella Voisine and Ethan Hayes and Colleen Thamsen
Van Buren Elementary School — Landen Michaud, David Ferreira and Elyssa Violette;
Van Buren District School — Jazmine Ayotte and Kylie Levesque;
Wisdom Middle/High School — Caitlyn Chasse and Madysen Picard.
