Local writer places first in age group in Missoula Writes

MISSOULA - The 11th annual Missoula Public Library's annual writing contest - known as Missoula Writes - announced their winners April 28. There were 36 finalists - from children and teens, to adults -in the areas of fiction, non-fiction and poetry writing. Among the top writers was Seeley Lake Elementary seventh grader Clara Kyrouac who placed first in the ages 11-14 non-fiction division for her essay "Take Action."

In 2014 as a second grader, Clara placed third in the Missoula Writes non-fiction 8 to 10-year-old age division for her speech "One Person Can Change the Planet." She has entered every year since and earned herself the top spot this year.

"It's fun to take some of [my] thoughts and put them on paper," said Clara who enjoys writing for fun as well as sharing her opinions. "It shows that if you keep trying you can succeed."

Clara's parents Christina and Aaron are proud of their daughter because of her determination and persistence to grow as a writer. They felt her essay showed a lot of maturity expressing her opinion and backing it up with evidence.

"She hoped to win every year but even if she didn't she was still ambitious, thought it out and put the time and energy into it," said Christina. "She is persistent, ambitious and didn't take no for an answer."

The winners were honored Sunday, April 28 at the Missoula Public Library. All the winners received a certificate and monetary award.

This year all of the winners had the opportunity to read all or part of their work, instead of just the first place writers. Clara read part of her essay, "and left them wanting more," said Christina.

Christina continued, "It was amazing and neat to see how many people wanted to read either their whole [writing] or excerpts. It was really neat to see how different and diverse and how happy, confident and proud they were of their work."

In addition to the winning entries, all qualifying entries will be printed and bound into books that will soon be available for checkout. Sponsors of this year's contest include Submittable, Friends of Missoula Public Library, Boom Swagger Salon, Shakespeare & Co. Booksellers, The Green Light, The Good Food Store, Washington Foundation and an anonymous donor.

For more information about the contest and a full list of winners visit http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org