Making a Difference in Your Life Writing Competition

On Sunday, November 7, an awards ceremony and reception was held at the Main Library for the winners of our Making a Difference in Your Life Writing Competition. Over 200 members of the community shared their thoughts about the priceless role the Library played in their lives. Many entries credited the Library with nurturing early childhood literacy; others talked about the important role the Library plays in providing access to information; and some described the Library as a sanctuary or a quiet spot where you can dream of a different life.

From these entries, 17 winners were selected by the panel of judges (Friends book sale volunteer Dr. Jay Ach, former Children’s Learning Center Assistant Manager Susan Hansel, and former Outreach Services Department Manager Tonia Moorman). The winners range in age from five to ninety-three years old! The judges were overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and enthusiasm for the Library and for the entrant’s eloquent recognition of the vital role it served in their lives.

Area legislators (Mark Mallory, Senator from the 9th District; Jim Raussen, Ohio Representative from the 28th District; Patricia Clancy, Ohio Representative from District 29; Catherine Barrett, Ohio Representative from the 32nd District, and Tom Brinkman, Ohio Representative from the 34th District) who attended the awards ceremony and reception were thanked by Ms. Fender and the audience for their ongoing support of the Library.

First Place

• Robert C. Steele

Second Place

• Sr. Helen McDermott, SND

Third Place

• Julie Pitstick, age 5

Honorable Mentions

• George Bell
• Evelyn Berkemeyer
• Shannon Bodenstein
• Miranda Coombe, 7 years old
• Roger J. Crotty
• Virginia W. Gasper
• Ashley Goodwin, 13 years old
• Mary Jo Holtmann
• Mae’lesha S. Lee, age 15
• Xuejing Y. Lyons
• Kim O’Connell
• Holly Price
• Maudi Thompson
• Diane M. Wright