Hazelwood West Sophomores Recognized in Young Writers Contest

Two Hazelwood West High School sophomores, Abigail Anderson and Eandie Nettles, are being recognized for their creativity and storytelling after being selected as finalists in the Unsolved 2026 Young Writers Contest for middle and high schoolers, which challenges students to craft an original, exciting crime fiction story in 100 words or fewer.

Both students learned about the contest shortly before submitting their entries and decided to participate to try something new. “I didn’t know anything about it until Ms. Becoat mentioned it in class,” Abigail said. “I was like, why not?”

Eandie had a similar experience, learning about the contest shortly before the deadline. “It was kind of a last-minute thing,” she shared. “I already had something written, but I had to minimize it to fit the 100-word limit."

Despite the challenge, both students created suspenseful stories filled with twists. Abigail, who enjoys mystery novels, wrote about a girl searching for her friend, only to discover a shocking truth. Eandie’s story took a darker turn, focusing on a haunted location and ending with a chilling cliffhanger. “She got a message on her phone that said, ‘run,’ and I ended it there,” Eandie explained.

Both students were surprised to learn they were selected as two of the contest’s finalists, with the opportunity to have their work published and potentially earn a scholarship. “Once I really read it, I realized how cool it was,” Abigail said. “It’s going to look great for college.” Eandie added that it took a moment to sink in, saying, “I didn’t really have any words at first.”

Outside of the contest, writing remains an important creative outlet for both students. Abigail is currently co-writing a fantasy novel with a friend, while Eandie balances her interest in writing with drawing and sketching.

When asked for advice on encouraging students to explore writing, both encouraged creativity and exploration. “Expand your creativity,” Abigail said. “If you limit it, you miss out on experiencing things in a fun way,” Eandie suggested, starting small and reading often to build ideas and confidence.

The contest winners, selected from published pieces, will be announced next semester and awarded to schools and students. The school with the best set of entries will receive the Young Writers’ Award of Excellence and $1,000, and five favorite published students will each win a $50 Amazon e-gift voucher! 

Regardless of the outcome, both students have already made Hazelwood West proud by stepping outside their comfort zones and showcasing their talent. Their success is a reminder that sometimes taking a chance can lead to exciting opportunities.