Six Bergen Teens Find 'Write' Words To Win College Contest

PARAMUS, N.J. -- Six Bergen County high school students won first-place in a writing contest sponsored by the English Department at Bergen Community College in Paramus, N.J.

First-place winners of a Bergen Community College writing contest are shown, from left, Katia Hardesty of Saddle River, Erin Aslami of Tenafly, and Jacqueline Yang of Ho-Ho-Kus.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Bergen Community College*

Donna Christopher

06/17/2016 2:30 p.m.

The contest drew 250 submissions from high school juniors and seniors, according to the announcement.

The winners will read their works at the Oradell Free Public Library Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

The contest, co-directed by Bergen professors Geoffrey Sadock, Ph.D., and Peter Helff, featured six categories of submissions, scholarly essay, poetry, personal essay, short story, drama and recent American.

Judges were Bergen faculty. The work of 18 finalists became part of the College’s literary journal, “Pegasus,” published annually in June.

The first place winners are:

Katia Hardesty, of Saddle River, Northern Highlands Regional High School: “A Thing of the Past” (Recent American)
Erin Aslami, of Tenafly, Tenafly High School: “Fixating Fortitudo and Seeking Sapientia” (Scholarly Essay)
Jacqueline Yang, of Ho-Ho-Kus, Northern Highlands Regional High School: “Satisfaction for the Soul” (Poetry).
Maya Amitai, of Tenafly, personal essay
Jessica Zhu, of Montvale, short story
Arthur Dennis, of River Vale, drama

The winners received copies of the school’s literary journal and Amazon gift cards.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Paramus and receive free news updates.