Assemblywoman Jenne said she was once again blown away by the quantity and quality of the submissions across the three age groups.
"The depth of the stories was quite wonderful. The writers, across all age categories, showed great skill at writing in a manner that draws the reader into their stories," according to the assemblywoman.
"Even the youngest writers were able to give the reader a sense of time and space that made their stories come alive," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
"There was a lot of focus in the essays again this year on the military and our veterans. Military service has always been seen as an honorable and patriotic responsibility for people living in the North Country and that comes through in many of the essays," she noted.
"A number of writers also focused on women's rights and the suffragette movement. There were stories dealing with women gaining the right to vote, becoming more independent, and dealing with the challenges of balancing child care with their work schedules," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
"There were also writers who turned their attention to religion. There were some really deep topics wrapped up in the essays that were submitted this year," she pointed out.
Rylee Presley's story, "Amelia: A 15-Year-Old’s Introduction to the Suffragette Movement," was the winner in the Cchildren's Ddivision.
Rylee wrote a fictional account of a teenager who attended a meeting of the suffragettes and listened as women demanded equal rights, including the right to vote.
The fifth-grade author from Indian River Intermediate School wrote the teenager learned that if you feel strongly about something, you need to do something to make change happen.
Amelia discovered there was a way for a young woman to express her beliefs in an effort to try and generate change for future generations, the young author added.
James E. Rainville II, , a fourth-grade student at Morristown Central School, and Aiden Cain, a second-grade student at North Elementary, were also recognized for their award-winning entries in the children's division.
Asa Douglas was recognized for top honors in the young adult division for his submission, "The Battle of the Thousand Islands."
The seventh-grade student in Julie Maslin's social studies class at Heuvelton Central School wrote a fictional account of the Battle of the Thousand Islands, which took place in August 1760.
The narrator of the story is on a ship that attacks Fort Levis, but the vessel ends up sinking after taking cannon fire in a two-day battle. The story ends with the narrator being injured and going down with the ship.
Misty Yarnell, a high school senior at General Brown Central School, finished second in the young adult division.
The judges selected "Benjamin Christian, War of 1812 Hero," a piece written by Lewis P. (Paul) Beers, Jr., of Alexandria Bay, as the top submission in the adult division.
Mr. Beers used military records, census data and newspaper articles to tell the story of Ben Christian, a military hero who lived in the Ogdensburg area for many years.
Known as Black Ben, he was very active in the War of 1812. He suffered serious injuries in three different battles and captured by the British on two separate occasions between 1812 and 1814.
Near the end of the story, the author said Mr. Christian was an indentured servant when he first came to the North Country with an army officer.
Mr. Beers wrote Mr. Christian was believed to be approximately 90 years old when he died at the Poor House in Canton. The military hero's burial spot remains unknown, the author noted.
Morgan Elliott of Canton and Diane Pena of Watertown were also honored for their award-winning submissions in the adult division.
The annual contest, sponsored by Assemblywoman Jenne and NorthCountryNow.com, offers aspiring authors an opportunity to share stories based on the region's rich history.
Stories were judged based on their historical and dramatic content, style and connection to the region.
The contest judges included SUNY Potsdam History Department Chair Thomas Baker, Jefferson County Historical Society Director Jordan Walker, Potsdam Public Library Children's Librarian Rebecca Donnelly, Reading Room Association of Gouverneur Director Linda Adams, and Canton Free Library Director Emily Owen Hastings.
An awards ceremony was held Saturday at the Potsdam Public Library to honor the winners.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates the winners of the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest during an awards ceremony Saturday at the Potsdam Public Library.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with James E. Rainville II, a student at Morristown Central School, about his essay, "The Combat Experiences of Pvt. E. Howards, 1862." James' submission earned second place in the North Country Historical Writing Contest's Children's Division.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photograph with winners in the Children's Division and Youth Division of the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest. Pictured are (l-r): Asa Douglas, Heuvelton Central School; James Rainville II, Morristown Central School; Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Rylee Presley, Indian River Intermediate School. Missing from photo: Aiden Cain, North Elementary School, Watertown; and Misty Yarnell, General Brown Central School.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photograph with winners in the Adult Division and Youth Division of the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest. Pictured are (l-r): Lewis P. "Paul" Beers, Alexandria Bay; Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne; Morgan Elliott, Canton; and Diane Pena, Watertown.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne discusses Rylee Presley's first-place entry in the Children's Division of the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest with the author.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks with Asa Douglas about the essay he wrote that earned top honors in the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest Youth Division.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Lewis P. "Paul" Beers' discuss his historical essay about an Ogdensburg area hero's role in the War of 1812. Mr. Beers' submission took top honors in the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest Adult Division.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks to Morgan Elliott of Canton about his award-winning submission, "The Battle of Ogdensburg,: in the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest Adult Division.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Diane Pena of Watertown discuss "A Whisper in the Roses," her award-winning submission in the 2018 North Country Historical Writing Contest Adult Division.
