Young Imperial writer places 2nd in story contest

    A young writer in Imperial placed second in her age group in a statewide short story contest held to honor one of Nebraska’s well-known authors.
    Maria Adle, who’ll enter 7th grade this fall at Chase County Schools, earned the runner-up spot in the middle school division in the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation contest.
    Her short story titled “Dear Nebraska” is a series of letters she entwined into a short story.
    For her second place finish, young Adle received $25. First place earned $50, while third received $15. The middle school division included grades 6-8 this past school year.
    The same prize money was awarded in both the high school (9-12) and intermediate school (3-5) divisions. There was also a category for adult entries.    
    With their entries, writers were encouraged to focus on historical and/or realistic topics remembering that Aldrich had a passion for Nebraska, small-town dynamics and family antics.
    The Foundation sponsors the annual contest to generate fictional short stories written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works.
    According to the Foundation, “Bess Streeter Aldrich was one of Nebraska’s finest writers. In her short stories and novels, she chronicled the ups and downs of small town living in hopes that her readers would understand the hardships and struggles of the times, but also see the virtues and hopes that became a part of these prairie times in the Midwest.”
    The Foundation also operates a historic house and museum in Elmwood.
    Maria’s mother, Rosie Adle, said they learned about the contest from a story in The Imperial Republican. Stories were due April 15.