Creativity takes center stage at the Literary Fair

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WONDERFUL WINNERS: The winners of the literary fair stand with one another smiling as they show off their awards. Each participant received recognition for their works in hopes that their literature will go on to become something special.

By: Jaliyah Young

West Broward’s annual Literary Fair once again gave students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and passion for writing through a variety of literary categories. From poetry and short stories to scene writing and fables, the event celebrated student voices while also highlighting the importance of literature in today’s world.

The Literary Fair, which has been a tradition at West Broward since 2010, allows students to submit original writing pieces in multiple categories. This year, approximately 180 submissions were entered into the competition, according to English Department chair Gabriel Vasquez. English teachers throughout the school participated in the judging process, carefully reviewing student work and selecting winners from each category. Teachers were divided among the categories to ensure the judging process was fair and balanced. Vasquez himself judged two categories, including short stories, and explained how teachers worked together to avoid bias when reviewing submissions.

“All the English teachers were split up pretty evenly by judging either one or two categories, and if we know one of the students in the submission we make sure to get a second opinion from another teacher so there’s no bias,” said Vasquez.

The process of organizing the Literary Fair begins months before the ceremony itself. Students are given until mid-January to submit their work, while teachers spend several weeks judging the entries before selecting the top pieces to move forward. First-place winners are then eligible to compete at the district level.

The students take a lot of inspiration from the teachers and what we’re reading all throughout the school year, and a lot of the time, the students bring a lot of their own personal experiences in their work and it’s always a great thing to see.” said Vasquez.

For many teachers, reading the submissions was one of the most memorable parts of the event. The pieces often reflected students’ personal experiences, emotions, and creativity, which left a strong impression on the judges.

“While writing my free verse poem I experienced many emotions such as anger, sadness, grief, and triumph. While writing my informal essay I also experienced anger but I more so experienced a sense to fight”, said Ash Criado winner of the free verse poem category.

The award ceremony itself also created a meaningful experience for students, teachers, and families. English teacher Evelyn Angel described the event as both enjoyable and rewarding, especially because students were recognized for their creativity outside of the classroom.

“I mean I felt pleased being able to recreate old characters I made in 2nd grade and bring them to life in a short children’s book. But I will admit that I struggled coming up with a storyline for a bit that would be interesting including a moral fit for children” , said Sarah Phillips, winner of the children’s book category.

The Literary Fair continues to serve as more than just a competition at West Broward. It provides students with a platform to express themselves, develop their voices, and share their creativity with others in a supportive environment.

“Literature is a chance for us to express our ideas, to develop our voices, and to give each other individuality,” said Alexander White, English teacher and judge for the literary fair.