The Marlborough Public Library recently held its first Teen Writing Competition for youths from Marlborough, or who attend a school in Marlborough. Participants were encouraged to send in their stories and poetry for a chance to win the grand prize of $100.

The judges were selected based on their writing experience and interest in young adult literature. A special thanks to them for reading all of the submissions and selecting the winners: Jenny O’Connell (local YA author), Mary Bonina (local poet and author), Paul Crocetti (editor and writer for the Marlborough Enterprise), Lois Black (a writer for Marlborough Patch), Sarah Sapienza (co-host for Worcester’s Poets’ Asylum), Diane McKamy, Necia Blundy and Bonny Anderson (all local librarians).

The winners were as follows:

Poetry (grades 7-9)

1st: Elizabeth Smith

2nd: Justin Hernandez

3rd: Jennie O’Leary

3rd: Erin Giugno

Poetry (grades 10-12)

1st: Courtney Armijo

2nd: Laura Cattarin

Stories (grades 7-9)

1st: Kayla Ucciferri

2nd: Katie Zagzoug

3rd: Maddy Plante

Stories (grades 10-12)

1st: Micaela Garrison-Desany

2nd: Kristen Higgins

3rd: Colleen McCarthy

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