Like we said in the challenge description, high school is a time rife with struggle, new experiences, and the desire for things to be different. Almost all of the entries to this challenge tapped in to those dramatic elements in some way—and it was a pleasure to read through them. For some WEbook staff, our high school years occurred…some time ago. Yet these entries had us right back in those hallways, among those lockers, and sitting in those desks.
It wasn’t always pleasant. But it made us feel something.
Winners!
Besides tight and specific writing, this entry delves into the myth of high school. The perception of how things "should" be. A lot of budding youths believe in that myth, and a lot of them wind of disillusioned. It's a sad truth, but it is the truth.
We loved the symbolism of the character's names in this entry. A high school romance ending not with a bang, but a whimper, the author captures the quiet, lingering pain of first heartbreak, suggesting the important growing experience it often can be.
Getting To Know You by Nekrostelos
Talk about your twist endings! This one started out as a traditional, albeit well-written, high school romance...and then dared to go beyond sweet high school love. The shock at the end is delivered subtly - this is one that sticks with you.
Stretching Fashion by JayneGrey
Not only did this entry take us back to high school, it took us back to the eighties. That's always a good thing. This entry also illustrated a key high school behavior: caring so much about one (insignificant) thing, that you lose total perspective on everything else. Whether it's a pair of jeans, a video game, or a girl's attention, things had a way of getting blown out of proportion in those years.
This entry tackles a difficult subject - domestic abuse - with courage and compassion. This one is also told through dialogue, and conveys the intense emotion of the situation powerfully, stopping just short of melodrama.
Unless you've worked as a teacher, it's easy to forget they're real people. We're not trying to be mean, but it's easy to remember high school and think of teachers givers of tests and lectures, and not much else. But they were students too, once. They have good days and bad days. Regrets. Mistakes. They have whole lives that most students never know, hear, or care about. This entry made is remember that.
Honorable Mention
Congratulations to the winners! You will receive your PageToFame coupons shortly.
If you didn’t win, chin up. There’s another writing contest afoot, a love is in the air. The “OK Cupid” writing contest is open for submissions. So, dig into your romantic side and write a love scene.
High School for me was also very memorable....This wonderful writers really made you experience it once more. It leaves a joyful albeit bitter taste in your mouth when you remember some of your tales as when I was also in high school. Great work you guys!
Posted by: jojo1490 | March 08, 2012 at 09:25 PM