By K.D. Robertson

Tragedies, comedies, dramas -- stories - come in all types, and so do their authors. Young authors in Bryan County picked up their pencils and wrote stories for all to read. Well, for the judges of the Young Georgia Authors competition to read. Seven students, from different Bryan County schools and different grade levels - and their stories - were recognized for their excellence by First District RESA in the third round of the Young Georgia Authors competition.

Tyler Boyce, a fourth grader at McAllister Elementary School, was awarded first place for First District RESA, Bryan County’s district and one of 16 districts in the state.

“It is almost like he was born with a pencil in his hand for writing stories to share with the world,” Lauren Stuckey, Tyler’s teacher said in an email.

Tyler Boyce is no stranger to Young Georgia Authors, having won the state level of the competition in first and third grade. This year, Tyler’s story was entitled “Burrito Warfare”.

Eli Wescott, an eighth grader at Bryan County Middle School, was also awarded first place for First District RESA for his story entitled “And Yet I Go”.

“From the first moment I met him, I knew that he was the kind of kid who will make the world work for him. Rarely, if ever, have I come in contact with a young man with such a keen intellect, razor sharp wit, and cunning sense of humor,” Patrick Forrester, Eli’s band director at BCMS, said in an email.

Five more Bryan County students, ranging from second to eleventh grade, wrote stories that made it to the district round of Young Georgia Authors.

Sofia Bucovsky, a second grader at McAllister Elementary School, was second runner up for her story entitled “The Wackiest Day”.

Abriella Found (fifth grade at Carver Elementary School), AnnMarie Pollard (ninth grade at Richmond Hill High School), Annalyse Chamberlin (10th grade at RHHS), and Siyoung Lee (11th grade at RHHS), all received honorable mentions for their stories.

For more than 20 years, Young Georgia Authors has provided a platform for blossoming writers across the state and is a prestigious competition for students of any age.

Tyler’s and Eli’s stories will be judged in the final round of the Young Georgia Authors competition, and state winners will be announced in May.

No matter the outcome, all these students have accomplished an impressive feat, and “Bryan County is proud to boast such creative and enthusiastic students,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Trey Robertson, said.