Student Story Winners! 2016 OHC Writer's Guild Writing Contest

Kennedy Brice, 3rd place story winner and Benjamin Strait, Judge's Prize winner.

Congratulations to all our awesome student winners in November's 2016 OHC Writer's Guild Student Story Competition

Presenting here on the Strait Line are a selected paragraph or two from each story.  To read the complete story, please pick up the Winner's Compilation available at the Okefenokee Heritage Center!

First up is Judge's Prize winner, Benjamin Strait.  He is a sophomore at Pierce County High, loves theater, graphic design and singing.  I have a slight familiarity with him as we have mutual genetic roots.  He is my son.
The Tale of Jeff
by Benjamin Strait

Jeff knew what was going on, but he kept the thought locked away deep in his mind.  He ran, ran far off to where he thought he'd left his car, in an attempt to regain his bearings. but he soon realized that he had been turned around. Lost in the forest, he finally stumbles across a cabin in the woods.  Remembering Rule Number 13 of horror movie survival, he started going in the opposite direction when he tripped over an exposed tree branch.  The thud of the trip was heard all the way to the cabin, and a man steps out of it.  He yells into the darkness, "Hey, anyone out there?"

Our third place winner is the incredibly talented Kennedy Brice.  Kennedy is a middle school student, with many creative interests.  She is a very successful young actress, appearing in a recurring role in The Walking Dead and many other films and TV, including Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.

Howl

by Kennedy Brice

Luna traced her fingers along the snow crystals that had already started to form patterns on the window sill.  Although it was dark, every line was illuminated by the full moon rising in the new winter sky.  She noticed how the wind in the dancing trees cast ominous shadows in direct contrast to their canvas of glittering snow.  She exhaled slowly, watching her breath turn to smoke, then dissipate into firelight like a ghost caught in the invading draft.  The hearth cracked as she rubbed elbows angry from the impressions left aging wooden frame she had propped herself up on for a now uncertain amount of time and migrated to the old rocking chair.  This welcomed comfort sat atop a hand knitted rug weathered by little footsteps of long lost children who once ran around asking for cookies years ago or for one more story as she and her siblings sat cross legged listening to stories her mother told.  Luna scrunched her toes up in her snug black boots trying to wrinkle up her socks at the heels and get the feeling in them to return.  Her gaze shifted to a framed photograph on a shelf hanging crooked on the wall.  She winced painfully, though this pain was from her heart instead of her elbows and feet.

Trent Dixon, our Student Story second place winner.

Our second place winner is Trent Dixon, a senior at Pierce County High School.  He has been an active writer at his school, including plays performed at the school.
A Slow Day at McKinley's
by Trent Dixon

"Now this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a classic your folks might just remember!  What we got here is Money (That's What I Want) by Mr. Barrett Strong.  Rocking radio since all the way back in '59!"

The smooth voice of Mr. Strong came sliding its way through an old radio in the corner of George McKinley's convenience store, placed on its own nightstand next to diary and bread.  It was about noon.  The store had itself a slow business day and on afternoons like this Mr. McKinley seemingly spent more time popping his old joints versus popping out his cash register.  60 years old, with 40 years of business under his belt, retirement was a dream both accessible and distant.  He didn't mind, though.  He was just as comfortable in his little corner store as he would be nestled in his bedroom resting his days away.  The sound of his greeting bell chiming broke the silence of his quiet thoughts.  The door creaked open and a young man strolled inside.

Our first place winner, Cheyenne Irby.

Our first place winner is Cheyenne Irby, a student in Ware County.  Cheyenne is a very talented young writer, and this not her first championship at our writing rodeo.  Last year Cheyenne won our Student Poetry contest!  She is our only student contestant to win both in poetry and story!  Congratulations!

Hide & Seek
by Cheyenne Irby

Realizing this was her chance to escape the confines of the closet, Laney rushed out of the door and down the hall,  Turning once, twice, she could now barely see the door out to the back in the darkness of the hall.  She was beginning to smile, beginning to think she might actually get out of the house without getting shot.

But then she heard the footsteps behind her.  

Her heart stopped and she tripped over her own two feet, causing herself to fall on her face.  She rolled over on her face and looked up to see Gabriel, his green eyes shining bright in the inky semi-blackness.  He walked closer so that he was standing over her and held the pistol to her forehead, the metal glinting when it hits a small beam of light from the door.

"Nothing personal, Lane, it's just the rules of the game." He smiled wickedly and she closed her eyes and waited for the end of the game....