HUDSON — The Scribbler, Hudson High’s literary magazine, announced the winners of its annual writing and art contest last month. The contest highlights student creativity while also giving young writers and artists a chance to be published and recognized.
This year’s contest winners included several Hudson High students across poetry, fiction and art categories. In poetry, first place went to “Why the Trees Weep” by Quinn Weithman, a ninth grader. Second place was awarded to “Angels” by Barbara Fernandes, also in ninth grade, while third place went to “Hope Is All I Own” by Brooklyn Harding, a sophomore. Honorable mentions were given to “A Free Spirit” by Connor Millette, an eighth grader, and “Peace is a Dove” by Weithman.
In fiction, Jackson Deveney earned first place for “Ghostblade.” Second place went to Fernandes for “Myosotis,” and third place went to Harding for “Seven Stained Daisies.” An honorable mention was awarded to eighth grader Zoe Patisteas for “The Secret.”
Deveney said winning the award was meaningful because writing has long been a personal outlet for him.
“It feels great to win this award and be recognized because I personally really enjoy writing,” Deveney said. “It’s always been an outlet for me to express my thoughts and feelings, and it’s been a passion since I was in middle school.”
He said joining the literary magazine encouraged him to share work he previously kept private.
“For the longest time, I would write on my own and just keep it and not show anybody,” Deveney said. “I thought this was a great way for me to get my work out there.”
The art category winners were also featured on this year’s magazine covers. Ninth grader Juliana Puleo earned first place for “Girl in Front of the Bulletin Board,” which will appear on the front cover, while sophomore Bella Bear earned second place for “Portrait of Girl’s Face with Bow,” featured on the back cover.
The Scribbler is open to students in grades 8-12 who enjoy writing, reading or creating visual art. The club edits and reviews submissions such as poems, short stories, creative nonfiction and artwork from students around Hudson High School.
Club adviser Carol Hobbs said the club has been running for around 16 years and was originally called “The Spork” before becoming The Scribbler.
“We value human expression,” Hobbs said when talking about the importance of original student work.
The club meets every Monday after school from the second week of school until the end of May. During meetings, students read submissions, create contest themes and vote on winners. Members also spend time sharing writing prompts and celebrating achievements together.
Hobbs said fairness is important when judging the contest. To avoid bias, she removes students’ names and identifying information before entries are reviewed by editors and judges.
The club also has a student editor-in-chief who helps organize the magazine. This year, Ella Giusti finished putting together the final print edition before graduation.
Giusti said she is proud of the work the staff put into editing the magazine and showcasing student voices.
“I’m proud of the work that we all put in together to edit all the works,” Giusti said.
She said The Scribbler gives students an opportunity to express themselves and discover their interests.
“I think it’s just a good way for people to express themselves,” Giusti said. “It really helps people know more about themselves and what they like, and maybe inspires them to write more in the future.”
Giusti said she hopes more students interested in the arts will join the club and that participating helped her step outside her comfort zone.
“Getting myself into the club was something I did for myself, but also to bring more people in,” Giusti said. “I think this group was a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone, too.”
Hobbs was also recently featured in the local newspaper, the Community Advocate, for bringing baseball poetry into her classroom lessons. The article highlighted how she combines sports and literature to help students connect with poetry in a different way.
Besides advising The Scribbler, Hobbs is also an accomplished poet herself. She has published poetry collections and has had her work featured in literary journals in both the United States and Canada.
Both Giusti and Deveney said the magazine creates opportunities for students to think creatively and connect with others through writing and art.
“I think English is a beautiful way to express yourself,” Deveney said. “Writing is a really good way to push forward thoughts and feelings in a way that verbal communication really can’t.”
