Three NCW students honored in teen fiction competition

WENATCHEE — Three young writers from across North Central Washington have been recognized for their storytelling in the 15th annual Teen Short Fiction Competition, a collaboration between NCW Libraries and Write On The River.

The competition is open to students in grades 9-12 throughout the NCW Libraries service area, including public, private, home-schooled and Running Start students. This year's submissions came from schools across Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant and Ferry counties.

First place was awarded to Else Haske, a freshman at Wenatchee High School, for her fantasy story, Origin of the Alchemist.

Set in a world where alchemy is outlawed, the story follows a young alchemist named Ray as he navigates a secret underground marketplace before embarking on a dangerous mission to recover confiscated magical materials from the royal castle. The tale introduces a richly imagined world filled with hidden markets, enchanted artifacts and political intrigue.

“I have been writing short stories and comics since first grade,” Haske said. “I enjoy reading, biology, and like to use storytelling in my art and in my Dungeons and Dragons games. I am planning on becoming a professional writer once I graduate from high school.”

Honorable mention recognition went to Yesenia Madrigal-Williams, a junior at Cascade High School in Leavenworth, for The Eleven Pound Astronaut.

Drawing from the true story of Laika, the Soviet space dog who became the first animal to orbit Earth, Madrigal-Williams' story combines historical fiction with emotional storytelling, tracing Laika's journey from the streets of Moscow to the launch of Sputnik 2.

“I am proud to call myself a writer, and I enjoy authors like Cormac McCarthy and William Golding who are able to put the worst and best of humanity onto a page,” Madrigal-Williams said. “In school, I am a Junior Editor for the CHS newspaper and yearbook, one-time published writer in the Leavenworth Echo, and member of the CHS Knowledge Bowl team.”

A second honorable mention was awarded to May Hinderer, a sophomore at Waterville High School, for The Painter.

The fantasy story centers on a creator whose paintings become real lives. As the protagonist struggles with loneliness and a desire for certainty, she learns that identity and purpose are not found through perfection, but through embracing uncertainty and connection.

“Writing has always been a big part of my life, from making my own books in elementary school to now journaling daily,” Hinderer said. “I feel like it's a way I can easily express myself and clear my thoughts. While writing this short story, I took inspiration from many pieces of literature that I have read, with one of the main ones being the Bible. I want to thank my English teacher, Mrs. Ward, for introducing me to this opportunity and encouraging me to continue to write.”

The annual competition was established by New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Cain following her appearance as a keynote speaker at the 2011 Write On The River conference. Cain continues to sponsor the contest, which encourages young writers throughout the region to develop and share their creative work.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media