KEARNEY – Four high school students from across Nebraska captured the spirit of “Nebraska Values” to earn first-place honors in this year’s Nebraska Emerging Writers and Artists Contest.
Dan Gannon of Wahoo High School, Emma Baldeh of Dundy County Stratton, Kellen Bees of Bellevue West and Bianca Castillo of Wakefield High School were selected from more than 200 entries submitted, which is a record number since the contest began in 2021.
The contest, now in its fourth year, is co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s American Democracy Project, English Department, Art and Design Department, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Tau Delta and Art Society.
Students were asked to submit essays, poetry, short stories or visual artwork exploring “Nebraska Values.”
UNK undergraduate students selected the winners through a blind review process. All award recipients have been invited to present their work at the UNK English Department’s Student Language and Literature Conference on Friday.
Winning art entries will also be exhibited in the UNK Fine Arts Building during the week of the conference.
Nebraska Emerging Writers and Artists Contest Winners
ESSAY
First: Dan Gannon, Wahoo High School – “The Scope of One Person”
Second: Madelyn Snyder, Wahoo High School – “A World Built on Values”
SHORT STORY
First: Emma Baldeh, Dundy County Stratton Jr/Sr High School – “Where the Corn Turns Black”
Second: Laurana Winz, Blair High School – “Headlights”
POETRY
First: Kellen Bees, Bellevue West High School – “Dementia Poem”
Second: Nora Barth, Duchesne Academy – “The Neighborhood is Quiet Now”
ART
First: Bianca Castillo, Wakefield High School – “Prairie Compassion”
Artist’s Statement: “This piece resembles the humble, everyday acts of kindness that define who we, as Nebraskans, are. Growing up, I’ve witnessed how our connection to the land and its creatures reflects empathy and resilience – crucial values that have come to shape who we are.”
Second: Indie Kaiser, Millard North High School – “My Morels”
Artist’s Statement: “Every year, when springtime arrives, my dad and I always go looking for morel mushrooms together. This shows my Nebraskan value of family and how small traditions can make the largest difference in life, and how we should always love and appreciate every moment and the beauty of nature all around us.”
