Two top awards for the 10th annual Tournament of Writers competition were revealed on April 18, 2024. The reception was held at Schoolcraft’s Wind + James and included recognitions, refreshments, and book signings.
This year’s grand prize was awarded to Kayla Lambert for her play, “Joan: A Play in Three Scenes.”
Lambert, whose play will be used for a theatre workshop during Arts Exploration Lab, a camp for teens, is a sophomore at WMU, studying English literature and political science. Vicksburg High and recent Central Michigan graduate Lindsay Fleck and Hannah Weinraubs will direct the rehearsal and performance of Lambert’s play. Camp participants will have 2 ½ hours to produce her work which will then be performed at the open mic which closes out the camp. Lambert will attend the workshop and performance and witness her play come to life.
A new youth award, sponsored by Gilbert and Ivy, was awarded to Alyssa McMillan for her short story “The Cornstalk in the Ditch.” McMillan is a sophomore at Schoolcraft High School and a regular contributor to The South County News.
Fifty-one writers participated in this year’s tournament, submitting 71 entries. Winners in each category and age group follow.
Fiction
Junior Age Division: 1st Eilee Stob, 2nd Abigail DeJong, 3rd Addie Ancrile, Honorable Mention Heslinga, Cameron Howard and Samantha Bell.
Young Adult Age Division: 1st Kayla Lambert, 2nd Cory Roberts, 3rd Alyssa McMillan
Adult Age Division: 1st Simon Thalmann, 2nd Joshua Johnson, 3rd DeOliveira, Honorable Mention Chelsea Pinto, Honorable Mention Ashley Porter
Senior Age Division: 1st Rick Chambers, 2nd Jamie Shefler, 3rd Daniel Moore
Junior Age Division: 1st Logan Morse, 2nd Kenta Landers
Young Adult Age Division: 1st Kayla Lambert, 2nd Jerzie Harp
Adult Age Division: 1st Simon Thalmann, 2nd April DeOliveira, 3rd Ross Landers
Senior Age Division: 1st Cyndi Haas, 2nd Francis Kartch, 3rd Mark Stucky, Honorable Mention Bob Ike
Nonfiction
Junior Age Division: 1st Logan Morris, 2nd Kenta Landers
Young Adult Age Division: 1st Kayla Lambert, 2nd Jerzie Harp
Adult Age Division: 1st Simon Thalmann, 2nd April DeOliveira, 3rd Ross Landers
Senior Age Division: 1st Cyndi Haas, 2nd Francis Kartch, 3rd Mark Stucky, Honorable Mention Bob Ike
Poetry
Junior Age Division: 1st Abigail DeJong, 2nd Hayden McCarty, 3rd Brynn Hayman, Honorable Mention Noelle Germay and Logan Morse
Young Adult Age Division: 1st Ashley Gerber, 2nd Grace Flanagan, 3rd Cai Durkee
Adult Age Division: 1st Simon Thalmann, 2nd Ross Landers, 3rd Kelly Germay
Senior Age Division: 1st Nancy Hibiske-Reed, 2nd Cynthia Fleck, 3rd Renée Szostek, Honorable Mention Mark Stucky and Charles Crouch
For a complete list of this year’s Winners’ Circle, and winners from previous years, visit vicksburgarts.com.
