Solanco Student Receives Scholastic Awards
Whether it be painting, drawing, writing, singing, or playing an instrument, there are many ways to express one's creativity. When it comes to creative writing, specifically, there are many benefits. People have a platform to share new ideas, explore the human experience, and use their imagination. For Solanco High School (SHS) senior Kara Armstrong, whenever she needs an escape, she puts her emotions on paper.
The daughter of Trina and Eric Armstrong of New Providence, Kara recalls writing her first story in third grade. Although she produces a lot of short stories, she enjoys writing flash fiction. Most of her work deals with loss because Kara finds it easier to write about characters with internal conflict when producing shorter works. When it comes to reading, Kara prefers young adult contemporary, and her favorite book is "Wild Blue Wonder" by Carlie Sorosiak.
According to Kara, she has been able to hone her creative writing skills during her time at SHS. One of Kara's eighth-grade teachers helped her with her first submission to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. "It was really helpful to have someone read my work, guide me, and tell me the things I could expect if I decided to pursue writing," commented Kara. As a sophomore, Kara completed a creative writing class, and last year, she finished a course in modern short stories. "It was interesting that we got to study different writers and see their kind of techniques and what worked for them," she explained. "It was just cool to see the evolution of how things have gone through history." During her time as an independent study student with SHS English teacher Jessica Prokay, Kara focused on developing original pieces and revising existing compositions.
Recently, Kara was awarded several Scholastic Writing Awards, including a Gold Key, four Silver Keys, and five honorable mentions. The piece that received the Gold Key is titled "Nobody Dies in Disneyland," which was inspired by Kara's brother, who shared a rumor with her that no one is allowed to die in Disneyland. According to the tale, emergency responders will resuscitate individuals until they are off the property. "Nobody Dies in Disneyland" is about a girl who is terminally ill and depressed due to her condition. While visiting Disneyland, she finds peace and comfort knowing that she can't die there.
"It was really exciting to find out I won," stated Kara. "It kind of validated my decision to pursue this as a career." After graduation, Kara plans to attend Susquehanna University to major in creative writing. She said that she is looking forward to meeting people who are as passionate about creative writing as she is.
She noted that her mom is her No.1 fan. She reads Kara's work and gives her feedback.
For those who want to give creative writing a shot, Kara has some advice. "I would just say to keep reading and keep writing and don't be afraid to try out new genres that you aren't familiar with," she said. "I used to really struggle with writing short fiction and now it's my favorite thing to write. Find some people who are going to support you and help you with your journey."
To learn more about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit http://www.artandwriting.org.
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