2019 winners in prose and poetry
contests announced

     The Anson County Writers' Club held its 31st Awards Ceremony for the winners of the 2019 contests in prose and poetry on February 23 in the Little Theater, H.B. Allen Library. The contests were open from grades 3-12 and adults.

     Kaye Ratliff, ACWC president, welcomed the winners along with their friends and families. Ratliff noted that "we had some really good entries." She said that this year the awards ceremony added certificates of appreciation to the teachers whose students had won awards. The certificate thanked the teachers for encouraging their students to enter the contests in their grade level. They also received two stuffed "goody bags," one filled with office supplies and the other with classroom cleaning supplies.

     Ratliff, Kelly Liddington, and Randy Tarlton, the contests co-chairs for 2019, awarded the certificates and cash prizes. Ratliff also read the judges' remarks about the entries, showing why they had won.      Winners in grades three-six won $15, $10, and $5 for first, second and third place. First place in poetry went to Zyrell Robinson, Lilesville Elementary School, for "Your Best." Second place was awarded to Pashense Ledbetter, Lilesville Elementary School, for "My Very Best" and third place to Sierra Preston, Ansonville Elementary School, for "My Grandma Baking Cakes." Grace Woods won honorable mention for her poem, "Irresistible Bread."

     First place in prose was awarded to Catalina Liles, Lilesville Elementary School, for her story, "Rose and Boomer." Liberti Horne, Lilesville Elementary School, placed second with "Dream Big Dallas," and Cooper Ross, Ansonville Elementary School, won third place for "Flopsy the Bunny." Shaniyah Bennett, Peachland Polkton Elementary School, was awarded honorable mention for "My Precious Family."

     Entries in grades six-eight also won $15, $10, and $5 cash awards. Winners in poetry in this division were Allison Honeycutt, first place for "Purpose;" and Jaydan Lindsey, second place for "Venus." Kenya Tanner won honorable mention in the prose division for "The One Who Started it All." All three attend Anson Middle School.      Cash prizes for grades nine-12 were $20 for first place, $15 for second, and $10 for third. Leon Liles won first place for his poem, "To Veterans" and Zoha Ali won second place for "Mirror Mirror on the Wall." Jacqueline Cherry won first place in the prose category for "Seven Letters" and Abigail Gano won second place for her story, "The Deal." All attend Anson County Early College.

     Adult winners in the poetry category were Kelly Liddington, Polkton, first place for "A Righteous Farmer;" John Witherspoon, Wadesboro, second place for "Mountains;" and Mario Kersey, Raleigh, third place for "Elegy to Joy." Prose winners were John B. Marek, Wadesboro, for his story, "'Esque." Liddington won second place for "If It's Black and White It's a Holstein," and Kaye Ratliff, Wadesboro, placed third with "Come Ye Thankful People, Come." Prizes in the adult divisions were $50, $30, and $20, respectively.

     Teachers honored with certificates of appreciation were Sharon Belcher, Rebecca Tolson, and Sheila Moore, all at Lilesville Elementary School; Tracy Preslar, Ansonville Elementary School; Brooke Puckett, Peachland Polkton Elementary School; Tangula Diggs, Anson Middle School; and Rhonda Benton, Wendy Dalrymple, and Jade Knotts, all at Anson County Early College.

     Following the presentation of awards, attendees enjoyed a reception featuring finger foods and punch.

     The Anson County Writers' Club meets every fourth Sunday (except July and December) at 3:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. New members are welcome. For more information, call Kaye Ratliff at 703-694-5431 or Sandy Bruney at 704-694-5211.