The 16th annual Creative Writing Contest gives students a chance to shine by expressing themselves in their writing, said Andrea Anderson, SWWC Service Coopertive student enrichment coordinator. The program is designed to encourage the love of language and writing for all students as well as a way to recognize talented young writers.

“Southwest Minnesota has many amazing young talented writers,” she said.

Students in third through 12th grade entered this contest in one or more of the categories poetry, fiction and non-fiction. There were 256 entries received, from 177 students, from 22 school districts, in addition to individual families who submitted entries on their own.

“Since we were unable to gather for this event, this year’s awards ceremony was a little different,” Anderson said.“We created a virtual Awards Ceremony to honor the winning students.”

Dr. Judy Wilson, director of the SMSU Creative Writing Program, Terri Michels, guest speaker, and Executive Director of SWWC, Cliff Carmody shared a message and their gratitude to all involved with this program especially the students who participated. Awards and anthologies were distributed to students in recognition of their winning entry. In addition, first place winners in all categories and grade levels were awarded a $20 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Two students received a $2,000 scholarship to Southwest Minnesota State University for being in first place, Melissa Snyder and Summer Janzen. The school award with the most winners went to Worthington Public. To see the list of winners, go to www.swwc.org/cw.STUDENT ACTIVITIES Andrea: 507-537-2257 Laurie: 507-537-2270 Fax: 507-537-7327