Student writers who won honors in the 13th George Putz Memorial Student Writing
Contest were recognized on Sunday, May 19th at the Mielke Arts Center by Shawano Area
Writers. Dan Hartwig, owner of Twig’s Beverage, served as master of ceremonies for the annual
event that featured a keynote address by award-winning author Susan Engebrecht.
Students submitted entries in three writing genres: Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction. They
competed in three age groups: Grades 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Entries were judged anonymously by
independent members of the Wisconsin Writers Association and Wisconsin Poets Association.
In the attached photo of first place winners taken by Lee Pulaski: From left, front row, Bethany
Barbara Brennan, 9-12 poetry; Megan Kroeger, 1-4 poetry; Caroline Bergmann, 1-4 nonfiction;
and Lily Bubolz, 5-8 poetry. Back row, Fiona Hoffman, 9-12 fiction; and Jill Guenther, 5-8
poetry and 5-8 nonfiction. Not pictured are Mitchell Kundinger, 1-4 fiction; and Jacob Bratz, 9-
12 nonfiction.
More than 90 people were on hand to see the winners were recognized with certificates
and various cash prizes depending on place. The list of award-winning student writers follows:
Poetry Grades 1-4
First Place: Megan Kroeger
Second Place: Rainn Edwards
Third Place: Caroline Bergmann
Honorable Mention: Keira Kosowski
Honorable Mention: Wapanuhkiw Waukechon-Reiter
Poetry Grades 5-8
First Place: Jill Guenther
Second Place: Abriella Morningstar Mahkimetas-Kurkiewicz
Third Place: Abriella Morningstar Mahkimetas-Kurkiewicz
Honorable Mention: Jonas Bushman
Honorable Mention: Wyatt Bratz
Poetry Grades 9-12
First Place: Bethany Barbara Brennan
Second Place: Julie Kirchner
Third Place: Claire Guenther
Honorable Mention: Jacob Bratz
Honorable Mention: Jacob Bratz
Fiction Grades 1-4
First Place: Mitchel Kundinger
Second Place: Caroline Bergmann
Third Place: Danielle Carroll
Honorable Mention: Josiah Kuehl
Honorable Mention: Miles Miller
Fiction Grades 5-8
First Place: Lily Bubolz
Second Place: Jill Guenther
Third Place: Julie Hahn
Honorable Mention: Ivy Winslow
Honorable Mention: Rachael Carroll
Fiction Grades 9-12
First Place: Fiona Hoffman
Second Place: Fiona Hoffman
Third Place: Fiona Hoffman
Honorable Mention: Julie Kirchner
Honorable Mention: Charles Kuhn
Nonfiction Grades 1-4
First Place: Caroline Bergmann
Second Place: Evie Kuehl
Third Place: Evie Kuehl
Honorable Mention: Dru Oshkeshequoam
Nonfiction Grades 5-8
First Place: Jill Guenther
Second Place: Jonas Bushman
Third Place: Wyatt Bratz
Honorable Mention: Wyatt Bratz
Nonfiction Grades 9-12
First Place: Jacob Bratz
