— Radio: Janelle Tucker, Mix 94.7 KMCH Eastern Iowa, Thursday, Feb. 9, 8:10 am, Fairbank Native and Author Hosting Wapsie Writing Contest – Mix 94.7 KMCH

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Winners of 1st Annual Wapsie Writing Contest (2023)

Published: City Newspaper (fairbank-ia.org), May 2023

Arianna Minikus, 5th grade, age 11, Waterloo, Iowa, short story, “My Amazing Trip!”

I was inspired to write my story because I saw that my grandma was writing a story and she said I could write one too. I like to write so that’s what I did! I remember that story because it was special to me.

Maria Streif, age 18, Maynard, Iowa, poetry, “Snowflakes”

In writing this poem, I wanted to inspire people – inspire them to take that chance, be the change, and act now. We never know the extent of the positive impacts we can create until we take that first step and I hope that people will not only recognize but also take initiative from this message found within my writing. 

Marcus Washington, age 42, Waterloo, IA, short story, “Some truths are better left to dreams”

My wife inspired me to write this story because she believed I could win this contest with it.

Update: Marcus’ short story was published in WINK magazine, Issue 21, Fall 2023

Contest Rules: The purpose of the contest is to encourage children and young adults, in particular, and adults to write more and improve their skills. Adults (19 and older), youth (12-18 years), and children (under 12 years) are invited to write about a subject matter of their choosing. Genres are non-fiction, fiction, or poetry. The length must be 100 to 1,500 words, and participants are limited to one entry only. Submissions must be in a Microsoft Word format and will be accepted after January 1, 2024. The deadline for entry is March 15. Submissions: bbpassick@comcast.net.

Keynote Speaker:

Around age 9 I had identified how much I enjoyed writing. It became my ally in getting through difficult times when I couldn’t find the words to speak. Simply said, I saw truths in the words I put on paper – like, when something that happened wasn’t my fault. Writing gave me hope. I liken my experience to Watch Sunday Morning: NPR’s Ari Shapiro on journalism and cabaret – Full show on CBS.

Writing Workshops:

“Writing a Memoir” (90 mins.): Whether you wish to write a memoir of under 10 pages —or 400 pages, like mine, We Are Eight, a Memoriam (2015), your family will treasure it just as much. Instruction (with handout) includes: Research, Interviews, Personal Stories, Genealogy, Photos, Permissions — and more.

Outcome: Attendees are provided with instruction/handout which includes: Research, Interviews, Personal Stories, Genealogy, Photos, Permissions — and more, everything to create their own personal memoir.

Journaling  (90 mins.): I kept a journal for over twenty years. I’ll talk about how keeping a journal was great training for my career as an author, and writing articles, short stories, poetry, etc.

Outcome: Students are provided with journals and taught how to record their life stories through writing, drawing, photos, and mapping.

© 2019 Betty Brandt Passick. All rights reserved.