Congratulations to Mattie Vandiver, Class of 2021, and Jin Fernbacher, Class of 2023, prize winners in the 2021 Spencertown Academy Young Writers Contest.

Mattie won Third Place in Fiction for a story called “The Science of Friendship.” Judges’ comments included, “Nice characterizations. The author experiments with 2 points of view, to poignant effect. Empathic rendering of how two lonely children, who feel excluded from more conventional circles, find kinship and understanding in one another.”

Jin won Honorable Mention in Fiction for her story, “A Single Orange.” Judges said, “Vivid writing, distinctive voice. Nice details: takes a small scene, brings it to life.”

You may read stories by all the winners here.