Rushmore Avenue fourth grader Jacqueline Scarpa was selected as a Storyworks writing contest winner for September 2023. Storyworks is a magazine published by Scholastic which helps students with key reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Jacqueline's winning entry was submitted by her teacher, Ms. Alyssa Marshak, for the writing prompt, “The Apple: The Great American Fruit.” In her entry, Jacqueline wrote a letter to the President of the United States Joe Biden. She explained why the apple should be our national fruit and shared some health benefits such as “apples can protect your heart and the vitamins in apples help to keep your bones strong.” In addition, Jacqueline included an argument in favor of the designation because of the popular saying “as American as apple pie.”
According to Storyworks Senior Editor Ms. Tricia Culligan, the publisher receives hundreds of entries each month for its fiction and non-fiction story contests. These contests, open to students in grades 2-8, challenge young writers to demonstrate their critical reading skills and to apply their thinking to a rigorous authentic writing activity.
“Jacqueline’s entry demonstrated a solid understanding of the task along with the skills needed for an appropriate and engaging response,” said Ms. Marshak when she notified Rushmore Avenue School’s principal, Catherine Siletti, of the honor. Scholastic recognized Jacqueline's achievement with a prize and the hope that she would continue her great work and hopefully be published one day.
Congratulations, Jacqueline!
Date Added: 1/24/2024