RHS Student a Finalist in Literary Competition

Rockville High School junior Alyssa Holmes is one of 30 finalists selected from a record number of entries in the 14th Connecticut Young Writers Competition.

It is an annual contest that highlights works of poetry and prose submitted by teens throughout the state.

The finalists will vie for the chance to be published in Connecticut Review - the literary journal of the Connecticut State University System - and compete for  monetary awards from the Connecticut Young Writers Trust.

The 16-year-old Holmes is a finalist in the prose category for her work, ''Photo Album.'' Her teacher is Victoria Nordlund.

"My creative writing teacher, Mrs. Nordlund, called me as soon as she found out that I was a finalist. I was shocked,'' Holmes said . "I honestly didn't think that I would win for that piece. It's really just a huge honor for me, and I'm so thrilled that my piece was recognized."

In addition to Vernon, state finalists are from Lyme and Old Lyme, New Haven, Griswold, Danbury, Torrington, Fairfield, Greenwich, Beacon Falls, Windsor, Brookfield, Mystic, New Milford, Willimantic, Middlebury, Stamford and Hartford.

The statewide winners will be announced on June 11 at a special awards ceremony at Central Connecticut State University. There were 806 entries received, surpassing last year’s previous high of 795.  It is the first time that a record number of entries were received in back-to-back years. 

The literary awards competition, for students aged 13 to 18, is a project of the Connecticut State University System and the Connecticut Young Writers Trust, with the support of the family trust of Glastonbury business consultant Matt Daly.

It is designed to encourage young writers and poets throughout Connecticut. Entrants are nominated by a teacher in a public or private school, and home school entries are also accepted.

Holmes said the inspiration for her piece came from an assignment in her advanced creative writing class. "Photo Album" is a series of snapshots depicting the perplexities post-9/11 society brings to a young man and his little sister.

"We all had to bring in a bag of five random items and swap bags with someone. The bag I received had a child's camera in it made of bright yellow plastic from like, the '90s,'' Holmes said.  "Somehow, the camera just triggered the idea in my head. I originally planned to write from the little girl, Em's, perspective about her two parents going to war, but I decided to challenge myself and write from the perspective of an older brother, since I had never written from a guy's perspective before.''