Welcome
The State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA) sponsors an annual writing contest (poetry and short stories) for students in Grades 1 through 12. Each local SoMLA chapter hosts a local contest where the top winners in each of those grade-levels and categories are moved onto the state contest. Each local SoMLA chapter is encouraged to conduct a celebration for its local winners.
Individuals who place at the state level will receive a finalist postcard learning of their finalist status and will be invited to a state level award ceremony during the annual SoMLA conference. State-level winners will have their work compiled and electronically published in a digital anthology for student winners. The contest has concluded for 2023-2024; check back in September to learn about the 2024-2025! |
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2024 YA CONTEST CELEBRATION
LOCAL YA CONTEST CHAIRS
Chapter |
Contact Person(s) &
School |
Email |
Anne Arundel |
Sherrie Ugolini,
Windsor Farm Elementary AACPS Chair |
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Baltimore City |
Hanna Scinta (Maree G. Faring Elementary School) School-based Contest Only |
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Baltimore County |
Amanda Rampata |
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Cecil County |
Chrissy Hilliker |
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Eastern Shore (Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester) |
Emilee Holson, The
Salisbury School Brian Cook, Worcester County Public Schools |
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Frederick |
Kate Mills, Middletown High School HS Chair Frederick County; Secondary
Co-Chair Andrew Velnoskey -
Ballenger Creek Middle School MS Chair Frederick County; Secondary
Co-Chair Elementary Chair: TBD |
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Harford |
Cheryl Monk (Retired), Chair   Elementary and Middle Schools High School Chair: TBD |
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Howard |
Maria Moy, Elementary Chair Alison Rudo -
Middle School Chair (temp.) Shareen O;Neale - High
School Chair |
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Montgomery County (school-based contests only)
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Tanie Shenk - Montgomery Virtual Academy Kelly Tanzi - Woods Academy (grade 6 only) |
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Upper Shore |
Kelley Sweiderk |
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Western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany) |
Erica Foley |
Areas that still need YA Chairs for 2023-2024
include: Cecil Mid-Shore (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot), Prince George's County, Southern Maryland, and Washington.
If you are interested in chairing the Young Authors'Contest in one of these
areas, reach out to Brian Cook.