The Hudson Valley Writers Center is proud to announce the winners of the Writers Express Youth Environmental Creative Writing Contest. Open to students in Westchester County, the contest challenges Westchester students to think critically about the state of our world while giving a platform to share their discoveries.
The 2025 contest winners are:
POETRY
- 1st– “Oh, Climate Change, What a Beast You Are” by Finlay Albright-Cook, 7th grade, Irvington Middle School
- 2nd– “Whispers for Rain” by Maddie Kamensky, 8th grade, Robert E Bell Middle School
- 3rd– “Plastic in the Oceans” by Sophie Katz, 7th grade, Irvington Middle School
FICTION
- 1st– “One Fish Makes a Difference” by Addie Schutzman, 7th grade, Irvington Middle School
- 2nd– “The Beach Club” by Charlotte Dolinger, 6th grade, Irvington Middle School
- 3rd– “Puppet Show” by Fiona Zlotnik, 6th grade, Dobbs Ferry Middle School
Each of the winners will receive a cash prize, 1st place $50, 2nd place $25, 3rd place $15, and their work is available to read on the Center’s website.
https://www.writerscenter.org/summer-camp-and-writing-contest
First place fiction winner Addie Schutzman says “My experience writing this was fun and interesting because I learned a lot about sea animals in the ocean and what difference overfishing makes to us and the planet.”
Second place fiction winner Charlotte Dolinger says “The experience of entering this writing contest was so fun because I got to write a story about an actual problem that I am concerned about. I am also participating in a Wildlife Conservation Society fundraiser with my friends that I hope will raise money to improve the climate for animals.”
Taylor O’Sullivan, a 7th Grade English Teacher at Irvington Middle School, says “Winning this contest is such a meaningful achievement because it recognizes students’ ability to use writing to make a difference. Their work shows creativity, deep thinking, and a genuine passion for raising awareness about important environmental issues. Being recognized at the county level is a huge honor and reinforces that their voices matter. I’m so proud of them!”
