Irving students sweep middle school division of writing contest

Students from Irving Middle School swept first through third place in their division of the annual Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation Short Story Contest.

  • Lina Jo Dvorak, eighth grade, placed first with her story, “Song of Hope.” 
  • Katherine Carpenter, seventh grade, placed second with her story, “A Good Place.”
  • Maren Michelle Steinke, eighth grade, placed third with her story, “Portal of the Past.”

The objective of the contest, according to the foundation, is “to generate a fictional short story that is written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works while incorporating a theme that focuses on Nebraska’s family life, economy, history, cultural diversity, and/or geography (past, present, and/or future). Writers are encouraged to focus on historical and/or realistic topics.”

Brooklyn Green from Lakeview Elementary School earned honorable mention recognition, as did Alyssa Freeman from Lux Middle School.

You can watch the three Irving students read a portion of their stories in the video below.


Published: November 17, 2020, Updated: November 17, 2020

Irving students Lina Jo Dvorak, left, and Maren Michelle Steinke. Not pictured: Katherine Carpenter