2008 Writing Contest Winners Announced
Duke TIP is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007-2008 4th/5th Grade Talent Search Writing Contest. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone submitting an entry for this year's contest!
Fifth Grade Winners
First Place
Madison Rosenow from Del Rio, Texas
Enrolling school: Buena Vista Elementary in Del Rio, Texas
"Mule to Maestro" 
Madison loves being outdoors, swimming and playing sports. She especially likes to spend time at her family’s ranch, where she rides horses and raises her sheep and goats. Her favorite time is spent curled up with a good book. She enjoys getting Academic 411 and reading about other kids and what interesting and amazing things they are doing. Madison considered the writing contest to be a fun and exciting experience. According to her, “Always look for something new to try.…it’s a blast to see what you can really do!”
Second Place
Caroline Bay from San Antonio, Texas
Enrolling school: Keystone School in San Antonio, Texas
"Anansai and Turtle"
Caroline's interests include gardening, reading, drawing and doodling, chatting with friends—especially on line, and fashion designing. Caroline hopes to be a gardener, artist, fashion designer, biologist, or botanist. She enjoys playing volleyball and soccer. Some of Caroline's favorite books are Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins. Currently, she is reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. She likes to listen to pop and rock music on her IPod.
Third Place
Laya ByrnZhan from Chamblee, Georgia
Enrolling school: Kittredge Magnet School in Atlanta, Georgia
"Rumpled Stilt's Kin"
Laya enjoys reading, writing skits, swimming, and volleyball. She likes reading so much that she is occasionally slow to begin her writing projects. Laya thanks her mother for keeping her on track while working on her entry; she thanks her father, who she considers to be a being a sounding board for her ideas.
Sixth Grade Winners
First Place
Daniel Perry from Austin, Texas
Enrolling school: Homeschooled
"Baba Yaga"
Daniel enjoys playing lacrosse, riding his RipStik, composing poetry, doing math, learning Latin, and making jokes. He also enjoys running, exercising, and hanging out with friends. Daniel hopes to be a business entrepreneur with the freedom to remain creative and independent. Foundational to all of these is his faith in Jesus and his encouraging family, who support him.
Second Place
Anita Rao from Pearland, Texas
Enrolling school: Silvercrest Elementary in Pearland, Texas
"The Singing Donkey"
Third Place
Michelle Huang from Bellaire, Texas
Enrolling school: T.H. Rogers Elementary in Houston, Texas
"The Frog Who Saved the Country"
As well as writing, Michelle’s hobbies are playing chess, singing, playing piano, reading, doing math, swimming, drawing, playing volleyball, and hanging around with friends. She hopes to be a cardiologist. Michelle has won trophies from chess tournaments, ribbons from swimming events, and a computer from a math contest.