McDowell Award winners recognized for writing excellence

Ten students received McDowell Writing Awards during a special ceremony Monday for their works in five categories: Essay, Poetry, Fiction/Memoir, Playwriting, and Journalism.

“Today’s award winners have taken journeys into themselves and have returned to enlighten us and encourage us to take our own journeys,” said English teacher Sujin Seo before announcing the award winners (listed below).

After all the awards were presented, alumnus Kevin Smokler ’91, an author who now lives in San Francisco, spoke to students about the importance of having strong writing skills, no matter what career path they embark on.

“Whether you’re going to write a novel, build skyscrapers or cure cancer, you need to have the ability to explain your thoughts and express yourself clearly,” he said. “Writing is not about being fancy or complicated. It’s about being able to tell a good story.”

One of Smokler’s favorite stories is having attended Greenhills.

“Greenhills taught me a great deal,” he said. “To the teachers here, thank you. You did a great job. I am proud of being from here and proud to have this story. I graduated 22 years ago and here I am. I couldn’t wait to come back.”

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The 2013 McDowell Award winners include:

Essay

6th grade: Katie Suarez

7th/8th grade: Harry Bagenstos

9th-11th grade: Francesca Lupia

Poetry

6th grade: Riley Meeks

Martha B. Grimes Award: Maria LoCicero

9th-12th grade: Francesca Lupia

Fiction/Memoir

6th grade: Ava Hoffman

7th/8th grade: Leila Bagenstos

9th-11th grade: Minna Wybrecht

Playwriting

Middle School: Evan Kanji

Upper School: Lalitha Ramaswamy

Journalism

Francesca Lupia

*The David McDowell Fund was established in 1993 to honor Dave McDowell, Greenhills head of school from 1983-1993. The Middle School Poetry Award was named in honor of English teacher Martha Grimes upon her retirement in 2006.