DeCubellis Foundation honors contest winners

Posted 6/12/13

According to a press release, Joan Parker, the judge of this year’s Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation’s Writing Contest, described entries as “emotionally gripping, a sensitive narrative and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

DeCubellis Foundation honors contest winners

Posted

According to a press release, Joan Parker, the judge of this year’s Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation’s Writing Contest, described entries as “emotionally gripping, a sensitive narrative and a revealing look at bullying.”

Parker is the inspiration to best-selling author Robert Parker’s female protagonist in his best-selling “Spenser for Hire” book and television series. Joan Parker continues her husband’s legacy by overseeing writers who have taken over the successful series.

This year’s topic “Peer Pressure through Social Media,” asked students to depict a real or fictional situation in which an individual’s presence on Facebook or Twitter influenced another’s behavior and decision-making for better or worse. It continues a long line of contest topics intended to get students thinking about good decision-making and dealing with outside influences.

The three top winners were First Place Winner Jacqueline Youngdahl of Hope, Second Place Winner Kendra Quimby of West Warwick and Third Place Winner Alana Perez of Cranston.

“We were truly excited and appreciative to Joan Parker for agreeing to serve as the celebrity judge for the KDMF’s 10th annual writing contest,” said Executive Director John DeCubellis. “This year we picked a timely topic that elicited deep and meaningful essays and that topic was bullying.”

According to DeCubellis, the contest has grown from just a handful of people in the first few years, to more than 100 this year. Participants are also from all areas of the state, and both public and private high schools.

“Katie loved to write both short stories and poetry and we are happy to continue her legacy with our writing contest. It is very heart-warming to have students from around the state take time to participate and put their feelings into words,” said DeCubellis.

This year, AAA of Southern New England joined forces with the foundation helping to also raise awareness about the dangers or drinking and distracted driving.

“Whenever we’re able to engage young people on issues like impairment and distraction or other risky behaviors behind the wheel, we view it as an important opportunity to make our roads safer for all motorists,” said Lloyd Albert, AAA’s senior vice president of public and government affairs. “We are pleased to help support this year’s writing contest and to partner with the KDMF in such a worthwhile effort.” 

Youngdahl received the $1,000 prize for her entry “Solemnly Swear,” which according to Parker was “an emotionally gripping and impressive prose style with an empathetic understanding of the challenges of being bullied.”

The second place award of $500 went to Quimby who, according to Parker, provided “a sensitive narrative leading to a satisfying unanticipated conclusion,” on her entry “Team Anna.”

Winn,ing Third Place was Alana Perez with her entry “Same Love” which Parker stated was “a revealing look at bullying, its devastating effects and in this case and unexpected ending.”

For more information about the contest and annual scholarships that the KDMF awards, visit the Foundation’s website at www.kdmf.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here