Gansett's Wright Winner of Decubellis Foundation Contest

Believable and heartbreaking, twists in the writing, and real tension, are just some of the words New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood uses to describe the works of this year's top three winners in the Kate DeCubellis 9th annual writing contest.

Hood, whose novel, The Knitting Circle, is currently being made into a movie by actress Katherine Heigl, took time out of her hectic schedule to judge the contest.

“It is a tremendous honor that such an accomplished and acclaimed writer is willing to take time to give back to her community and support other aspiring writers, while at the same time raising awareness about the KDMF and its efforts, ” Executive Director John DeCubellis said.

“After our daughter Katie died at the hands of a drunken driver, we wanted to find a way to carry on her legacy and keep her spirit alive,” Meg DeCubellis said. “As the years progressed we were fortunate enough to receive an outpouring of support and the writing contest is one way for us to give back to others and also raise awareness on important topics.”

This year's first place winner is Ethan Wright of Narragansett. Here's what Hood said about his short essay titled, Dead End:

“I was impressed that Ethan changed points of view, writing from both the parents’ and the son's perspective. He wrote in clear scenes and did a terrific job of building tension. I really understood his character's conflict and appreciated that, at the end, the protagonist was forced to make a moral decision, one that I found believable and heartbreaking.”

For the past nine years the KDMF has awarded money and prizes to students who placed in the annual writing contest. For the 2012 contest, the Foundation has a timely topic in which students are asked to create a situation or relate an event that demonstrates how an economic crisis impacts families, causes increased social pressure and/or leads to poor decision making.

A ceremony was held May 7 at the Warwick Mall to announce this year’s winners. Television reporter, WPRO radio anchor and children’s book author Laura Clarizio emceed the event.

Second place went to Emily Fisher of Coventry. For more on her essay, read the Coventry Patch article .

The KDMF presented monetary awards to the winners. Additionally, professionally created posters with the winners’ names and writing entries will remain on display at the mall during the week following the ceremony. 

The winners also received an autographed copy of one of Ann Hood's books. For more information about the contest and annual scholarships that the KDMF awards visit the Foundation’s website.

Release courtesy of the KDMF.