Bayard Rustin ES Student Wins First Place in Statewide Young Authors' Contest
Scarlett Spak, a fifth grader at Bayard Rustin Elementary School, won first place in the 2025 Young Authors’ Contest hosted by the State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA).
SoMLA sponsors an annual writing contest (poetry and short stories) for students in grades 1-12. Top winners in local chapter contests move on to the state contest.
“My mom saw the website for last year's results and asked if I wanted to enter,” Spak said. “There are 16 different county chapters for the Maryland State Literary Association, and I had to submit my story for Montgomery County and see if it won and made it to the finals from there.”
Her story, “Freedom,” started as a fourth-grade historical fiction assignment from her teacher, Michelle Lee-Kwon. Inspired by the Underground Railroad, Spak created a story about two siblings, George and Lucy, escaping to freedom.
“I thought it would be best to have some old-timey names, so I went to Ms. Lee-Kwon for help,” Spak shared. “I knew in the end, of course, they would reach the North. I also knew I would start with George and Lucy escaping. I also added some hurdles, the bear attacking them and them hiding from guards.”
With the story officially published, Spak says it feels “amazing.”
“I never knew my fourth grade story could come this far,” said Spak. “It is also great that I am the only person in Montgomery County to win any grade level of the state writing contest! I am very proud of myself, and can't wait to create more stories!”
The excitement and sentiment is felt at her school, too.
“I’m so proud of Scarlett for representing Bayard Rustin and MCPS so well on such a large scale,” said Principal Kathryn West. “It’s so rewarding to watch our students bloom into such amazing communicators, both orally and in writing, and it’s a true testament to the great teaching and learning happening at our school.”
Spak’s favorite author is Karina Yan Glaser who wrote “The Vanderbeekers Ever After” and “A Duet For Home.”
“I love how freeing writing is,” said Spak. “You can just write and write and write and shape something you will later read and love. I love how you get to know the characters and become a part of the story while writing it.”