ISLESBORO – The Islesboro Central School community gathered recently to honor the winners of its 10th Creative Writing Contest.

The goal of the contest was to encourage students to value the art of writing through positive feedback and recognition from their teachers, peers and community members.

Middle school pupils submitted poems and prose based on the theme “Freedom.” High school students submitted their best writing on any subject. This year’s panel of judges included editors, published writers and poets, former English and literature teachers and journalists.

The winners:

. High school poetry: first place, Cassie Gray, grade 11; second, Kate Hauprich, grade 10; third, Nikki Pisciotta, grade 12.

. High school prose: first place, Rory Diffin, grade 12; second, Natasha Nelson, grade 10; third, Cassy Gray, grade 11.

. Middle school poetry: first place, Sarah Bullock, grade 8; second, Tim Kerr, grade 8; third, Richard Coombs, grade 7.

. Middle school prose: first place, Keely O’Connell, grade 8; second, Richard Coombs, grade 7; third, Colin Schmidt, grade 8.

Plans are under way to produce a book to include the winning entries of the past decade of the creative writing contest. Donations for the project may be made to the Islesboro Central School writing contest book project.