The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Rebecca Eddy contest winners
CANASTOTA >> The 16th annual Rebecca Eddy Memorial Writing Contest was recently held at the Canastota Public Library. Entrants were able to enter their short stories and poetry in one of four age categories.
The contest was organized by Joan and Doug Eddy as a memorial to their daughter, Rebecca Eddy, a local Canastota woman who died at a young age in an automobile accident. Eddy was a graduate of Canastota High School as well as a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. She was an athlete, an artist, a thes- pian and a scholar. Eddy felt a passion towards writing and also towards her community. Joan and Doug Eddy were on hand to congratulate the winners and to encourage themto continuewriting.
Prior to the awards presentation, former educator Vince Doty talked about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” and the historical significance of the poem. Doty then read the poem to the gathering. After the poetry reading, Doty presented the library with a copy of the book which was recreated by Christopher Bing.
The winners of this year’s competition were named at a special awards ceremony at the library on Monday, April 18.
The winners included the following:
Poem 10 and Under: Morgan Lorey, 1st Place.
Short Story 10 and Under: Addison Shirley, 1st Place; Ava Dimao, 2nd Place.
Poem 11-14: Olivia Furman, 1st Place.
Short Story 11-14: Peyton Shirley, 1st Place.
Poem 15-18: James Schaffer, Joan and Doug Eddy congratulate Desiree Stoddard, second place winner of the Short Story category for ages 15-18in the 16th annual Rebecca Eddy Memorial Writing Contest. Also present is Canastota Library Director, Liz Metzger.
Place: Chole Ford, 2nd Place: Emily Cranwell, Honorable Mention.
Short Story 15-18: Kelli Whitmeyer, 1st Place; Desiree Stoddard, 2nd Place.
Poem 18 and Older: Martha Fischer, 1st Place; Bernie Conklin, 2nd Place; Sandy Miley, Honorable Mention.
Short Story 18 and Older: Michael Dunn, 1st Place; Michael Seagriff, 2nd Place; Joanne Finocchiaro, Honorable Mention.
All contestants received a certificate for entering the competition. First and second place award winners also received a cash prize of $25 and $10 respectively. Every participant also received a book- mark of one of Eddy’s poems. After the awards presentation, writers were encouraged to read a portion of their work to the audience.
The contest is coordinated each year by the Canastota Public Library at 102 W. Center St.