Fostering Aspiring
Young Writers with a Statewide Contest—
Aimee St. James poses with
Governor Baldacci. Aimme was surprised that she won one of three top writting awards - a
check for $1,000
By Ramona du Houx
Three years ago John
Fitzsimmons, president of Maine’s Community College System, extended his role to
introduce a program that inspires high school students across the state to enhance and
explore their skills as writers.
His son at the time was
entering Bates College and had complained about the lack of preparation there was in high
school for creative writing. Fitzsimmons’ success over the years has always been, in
part, due to his ability to listen and take action. The governor’s Community College
System has a long waiting list of eager students and the exchange program partnership with
New Brunswick already has students taking advantage of the variety of new courses offered.
With Fitzsimmons at the helm, the Community College System continues to expand and is
preparing students for good jobs here in the State of Maine.
John Fitzsimmons,
president of Maine’s Community College System speaks a the Governor’s Young
Writer of the Year Awards, which he helped start
It was natural for
Fitzsimmons to approach the governor asking him to endorse his concept for a statewide
contest for young writers. Without hesitation the governor was on board and placed a call
to Stephen King to help with A Journey into Writing. For two years King has been a judge.
This year Maine writers Richard Russo, Wesley McNair, and Linda Greenlaw chose the
winners.
The governor read all the
semifinalists’ works.
"Every day, in every
way, our lives are enriched through the gifts of Maine writers, by drawing on our
emotions, providing us insights, enhancing our knowledge and inspiring us to see the world
and its people through a wider lens," said Governor Baldacci. "I was really
impressed with the stories I read," said the governor. "Writing was something
that I wanted the state to call more attention to — to be able to express yourself
with the written word is something that we, as a society, have gotten away from. I think
it’s something that we need to remember."
This year’s finalists
exhibited talent beyond their years. Nationally recognized poet McNair said as much when
he highlighted excerpts from the semifinalists during his speech, noting each
writer’s strengths.
"What he said,
I’ll always remember," said Julia Bald, a finalist from Brunswick. Bald aspires
to becoming a writer after attending college. She also is a painter, which helped inspire
her story, "The Last Painting," which tells about a mysterious compelling
relationship a girl has with a special painting. "My mom said to write about
something I know."
"I write better than I
talk," said finalist Aimee St. James modestly. St. James is also from Brunswick and
has wanted to be a writer since she was eight. Her insightful, touching story entitled
"A Five Letter Word," takes the reader inside a tragic event. "I love
watching people, getting impressions from them. I watch in the third person."
All three finalists will be
published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, as they help sponsor the event with US Cellular.
To view the stories online please go to: writing.mccs.me.edu.
Gov. Baldacci congratulates George Murray for his
award winning story ‘Girl Mode"
Amongst all the
semifinalists there is one story that mastered the craft of humor with finesse and
unexpected turns. George Murray of South Portland High School hit the mark with "Girl
Mode." Describing the trials and tribulations of trying to get a first date Murray
succeeds in surprising the reader at every turn with his wit and candor.
"I had only admired
Cindy for a short period of time (seven years), and I decide that perhaps she had
forgotten about my various misadventures in fourth grade, most of which involved full
nudity and embarrassing calls from the principal. Basically, I concluded that it was now
or never, that the time was right, and that I could do this. ‘I can’t do
this,’ I told my friend Jerry," wrote Murray in this excerpt from "Girl
Mode."
The semifinalists were Alex
Forsythe, Max Hodd Wells, and Siobhan Smith.
"Mr. Richards is
wonderful," said Smith from Freeport High about her teacher that inspired her to take
part in the contest. "He told us about the contest when it started and I’ve been
planning on entering since I was a freshman. I’ve started writing poetry as well;
I’d love to become a writer."
"In reviewing the
entries, I noticed that Freeport High School has a student for the third year in a row who
has made it to the semifinals," said Baldacci. "Your repeat visit here this year
is a tribute to the wonderful teachers here today and to the administrations that support
you."
The 2007 Governor’s
Young Writer of the Year Awards generated 231 entries from all of Maine’s 16
counties, representing 85 high schools and 121 different cities and towns.
All semifinalists received
a $100 check and a plaque. The three winners also received a framed certificate and a
check for $2,500.
"This contest gives us
the ability to help foster the talents of creative students — it is an avenue for
their voices to be heard," said Fitzsimmons. "It’s important that we
recognize and celebrate their accomplishments for the future of the great state of
Maine."
Acclaimed writer
Wesley McNair looks on as Julia Bond receives her award
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