My fiction submission was my winner! I did think this would be the one chosen if any of the three submissions I submitted were because I felt it was my strongest "message." I was an honorable mention which I was a little disappointed about at first (mainly because I wanna be the very best like no one ever was!...,) but winning an award is pretty awesome no matter what place! And this is my very first publication in print!  I'm also very excited to say some of my classmates grabbed some places. Ashley got first place in non-fiction, Tracey got second place in fiction and in non-fiction, and Michael got first place in fiction. I was just excited that I read some of them prior to them being published and helped the author in a little way to producing their winning piece. I'll take first place someday...SOMEDAY! *shake fist*





Ashley (I drew the Dragon Hill picture for one of her fiction stories) received first place for a non-fiction piece she wrote about a memory from her deployment in Iraq. I feel so jealous of her experience (something that I am barred from experiencing) but at the same time I do not envy the emotional baggage she will carry forever. Bless her friends who were lost in combat and bless her and her husband (and any soldier) for fighting for the freedom of not only the US but all countries with laws that are similar.