Kurn Hattin Hosts Author at Annual Ziggy Ostrowski Mystery Writing Contest

WESTMINSTER, VT- On April 3, 2014, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children held its 14^th Annual Ziggy Ostrowski Mystery Writing Contest Banquet. The contest for middle school students was developed by Kurn Hattin writing coach Ziggy Ostrowski and English teacher Kristi Lisai. The purpose is to encourage the students to challenge themselves and achieve goals that may have seemed beyond their reach. When Ostrowski passed away in 2005, Ms. Lisai continued the annual contest to inspire young writers, and named it in his honor.

For this year’s contest, the participants were asked to write the fourth chapter of a novel in progress. Lee Conrad Kemsley, Vermont author of the novel, “The Hunger Year”, participated by giving the children chapter three of her upcoming work, “Korintok”. The young writers then tried their hand at writing the fourth chapter. The two contest winners, 7^th grader Maia Brow and 8^th grader Susanna Compare, each received a $25 cash prize for their creativity and writing skill. Also honored were finalists, 7^th graders, Reginald Watson, David Spencer, Jr., and Chelsea Taylor, and 8^th grader Chrystal Longe. The contest winners and finalists joined the author for a banquet held at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children.

The Paul Gordon Memorial Prize was also awarded during the banquet. This prize, given in memory of former Kurn Hattin staff member and avid reader, Paul Gordon, was awarded to 8^th grader Danielle Barber for her passion for reading and writing. She won two books written by her favorite author, John Green.

Pictured from left to right: Danielle Barber (8th grade), Maia Brow (7th grade), guest author Lee Conrad Kemsley, Susanna Compare (8th grade), and English teacher Kristie Lisai.