The Thornton Wilder Writing Competition
Sponsored by the Friends of the Hamden Library

Established by Thornton Wilder's sister Isabelle, the annual contest encourages high school student writers to hone their craft, competing in two categories: Poetry and Prose. The April 10, 2002 event was held in Thornton Wilder Hall at the Hamden Library in Hamden, CT.

2002 Winners, Poetry

• First prize, Sarah Tsalbins, "Zachary"
  Sarah was a senior at Amity Regional High School
• Second prize, Dana Katherine Canelli, "London" Dana was a sophomore at Hamden High School

2002 Winners, Prose

• First prize, Matthew Rucinski, "The Storm"
  Mathew was a junior at Hamden High School
• Second prize, Miranda Blue, "Blueberries" Miranda was a senior at the High School in the Community

2001 Competition
In 2001 there were 51 contestants, and 5 winners, the first prize in prose going to an exceptionally gifted 9th grader, Ana Vollmar, whose talent is sparkling. Especially memorable was Natasha Diosa's poem "My Blues," a terrific response to Ken Burns's series on jazz. Her "silvery, sassy, sax" sang out like Lester Young or Charlie Parker. The April 11, 2001 event was held at the Hamden Library and sponsored by the friends of The Hamden Library, notably Augusta Thomas, Chairperson Emerita, and Betty Mettler, current chair. Hamden Mayor Carl Amento congratulated the student and their Teachers, New Haven Postmaster, Denise D. Porter, presented the winners with replicas of the Thornton Wilder commemorative stamp, Russian scholar Tatiana Kabanova spoke about the worldwide importance of Wilder, Tappan Wilder spoke on behalf of the Wilder family, and Susan Thomas, Executive Director of The Wilder Society, welcomed the students into the world of writers.

Click here to find out more information about the contest.
©2003 Thornton Wilder Society