Amelia Island Book Festival
Press Release
Contact RM Fenn
[email protected]
April 10, 2018 3:00 p.m.
Fourteen Nassau County Students Won Cash Awards
During the recently concluded 17th annual, three-day Amelia Island Book Festival’s Author Expo, the following fourteen students were selected as winners in the Amelia Island Book Festival County-Wide Short Story Contest from among more than 150 entries submitted from every middle and high school across the county.
“It’s been an overwhelming pleasure to see so many students participate this year,” said Dr. John Ruis, Board President and former Nassau County Superintendent of Schools. We are very grateful to our school advisory committee members: Cynthia Grooms, Director of Secondary Education; Robert Hicks, Fernandina Beach High School (FBHS) guidance counselor; Kristi Simpkins, Director of Elementary Education; Cynthia McNeill, West Nassau High School (WNHS) media specialist, and all the middle and high school principals and media specialists who help implement the program within the schools.
“And thanks to our program coordinator, Dr. Cathy DeCou, Short Story Contest Committee Chair, and her team comprised of Jim Weinsier, Pam Park and Liz Dunn. We also couldn’t have awarded the cash prizes without our sponsors, The David Miller Family and an anonymous donor ‘in Loving Memory of Shiela Fountain,” he added.
Dr. DeCou also commented, extending thanks to the extensive list of judges for “their time, talent and patience” in reviewing every entry.
The contest was divided into two segments, middle school entries and high school entries, which were judged separately to level the playing field. There were six high school winners and eight middle school winners. Each of the winning students received a certificate, a cash prize and an Amelia Island Book Festival publication with their stories printed inside. The book printing and creation was donated by OnlineBinding.com of Jacksonville.
Festival Honorary Chairman Steve Berry, along with AIBF Board President Dr. John Ruis, Congratulated the 2018 Book Festival Award Winners at a special ceremony, Saturday, February 17 during the Author Expo.
All of the award winners also received a special opportunity to meet with world-renowned author Lee Child, creator of the billion-dollar Jack Reacher brand. Mr. Child shared great insights with the students and answered their questions. He emphasized to the young authors, “Be yourself in your writing. Just keep writing and reading. The only way to improve your writing is to read, read and read some more.”
In the middle school category the First Place overall award went to Leah Stewart, a Yulee Middle School-seventh grade student. Second Place overall winner was Hope Holland, Callahan Middle School- eighth grade. In the special categories: Bridget Peeples, Fernandina Beach Middle School-seventh grade, took home First Place in the Boys Girls Club category; Andrea Jones, Fernandina Beach Middle School-seventh grade, took Second Place in the Boys & Girls Club category. The “Best Surprise Ending” recognition was a tie between Kelly James, Callahan Middle School-eighth grade, and Luke Snapp, Yulee Middle School-sixth grade. “Best Suspense” honors went to Caroline Pierce, Fernandina Beach middle School-sixth grade, and Olivia Wycoff, Yulee Middle School- sixth grade.
In the high school segment of the contest: First Prize honors went to Abby Hamilton, a Fernandina Beach High School senior; Second Place went to Gabrielle Gibb, also a Fernandina Beach Senior. Siara Lockwood, another Fernandina Beach High School senior took “Best Surprise Ending”. Hannah Masters, also a Fernandina Beach Senior won the “Most Creative” award. “Best Suspense” was a tie between two freshmen class students from Yulee High School, Keelie Percival and Erin Salvas.