Last week, the winners for the SoMIRAC (State of Maryland International Reading Association Council) state-level writing contest were announced, with Bel Air once again leaving its own special mark in the stone, three of the winners being from our own high school.

Junior Praise Flowers took first place in 11th Grade Poems with her entry, The Extermination of Dream Island, as Shelby Gahler claimed first in 12th Grade Poems with Branded. Mary Talbard won second in 12th Grade Short Stories with Bittersweet Summer.

“I’m so excited, really,” Mary said on winning. “To know that my writing stands out that much to people is such an honor.”

The winners will be celebrated at an annual conference for the contest in early April where they will have an opportunity to share their work with attendees of the reception.

To anybody wishing to submit their own writing to any future contests, or to become a writer in general, Mary Talbard recommends: “Do it. Yeah, you may not win, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to lose, either. Writing is a wonderful way of expressing yourself. So, if that makes you happy, then go for it!”

A huge congrats to our local winners for their success, and to all the others in the state who won and submitted alike for getting their names out there. If you happen to see any of them in passing, make sure to congratulate them!