Sussex Academy students rank in New York Times writing contest

Four Sussex Academy eighth-graders ranked among the top 15% of all submissions entered in The New York Times’ tiny memoir contest.

The New York Times Learning Network received more than 12,000 entries in its 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest, which is open to students ages 13 to 19 in middle or high school anywhere in the world.

Students were tasked with creating powerful narratives of no more than 100 words about a meaningful experience in their own lives.

Original pieces written by students Barbara Carneiro-Duarte, Alex Horner, Skyleigh Passwaters and Aarna Sharda made it through at least two rounds of judging to rank among the top 1,613 entries received.

Judges’ letters to students noted the promise in their work, “whether it was your unique topic, your ability to weave a compelling story or your way with words.”

Barbara’s piece, “Bombshells,” focused on a family health revelation, while Alex’s narrative “The Swamp and the Croc” detailed the story of a lost shoe.

In her memoir, “Feelings Behind the Curtain,” Skyleigh reflected on her feelings for her father, and Aarna reminisced about childhood in her narrative, “The Golden Days.”

Eighth-grade writing teacher Karen Hugues said this was the most student winners Sussex Academy has had in a New York Times contest in a single year.

“I am proud of our students,” said Hugues. “They have made purposeful decisions in crafting their writing pieces. They have worked to find their individual voices, and these tiny memoirs demonstrate that.”