Steinbeck Young Authors is an innovative program that was created to provide an opportunity for middle school students to explore the excitement of writing, enhance their writing skills, and introduce them to the works of John Steinbeck.
Steinbeck himself was inspired by a good book and strong teachers—a combination we hope will motivate students to discover the power of the written word. Teachers in the Steinbeck Young Authors program use a specially developed curriculum written especially for The Red Pony.
Over 5400 middle school students from Monterey County, Santa Cruz County and Solon, Iowa have participated in this program over the last six years. Steinbeck Young Authors teachers select two students to attend a special “Day of Writing” at the National Steinbeck Center, where they meet a real “Red Pony”, write an essay combining their personal life experiences and their studies of The Red Pony. They are then paired with a volunteer writing ‘coach’, a community member who uses writing as a part of their careers, who reviews their work with them. After the session with their coaches, students have an opportunity to edit their essays and turn them in for a final review. A panel of experts judge the students’ works over a two-week period. All “Day of Writing” participants are invited to celebrate their accomplishments and award recipients are acknowledged at an award ceremony held at the World Theatre on the campus of Cal State University, Monterey Bay. All of the student essays are published in the Gabilan Journal.
2009-2010 Winners
Jody Award:
The Jody Award represents the proficient and advanced writers who are good or strong writers who write consistently clear, coherent and focused essays.
6th Grade
- First: Andrew Liddle • Buena Vista Middle School
- Second: Corinne Trachsel • International School of Monterey
- Third: Audrey Hundridge • International School of Monterey
- Judges Award: Olivia Sanchez • Buena Vista Middle School
7th Grade
- First: Melody Malek • Merryhill School
- Second: Jacqueline Prager • San Benancio Middle School
- Third: Mariel Arleis • Fitch Middle School
- Judges Award: Morgan Rector • All Saints’ Day School Well-written, insightful
- Judges Award: Vi-Van Nguyen • Merryhill School Compelling personal story
- Judges Award: Leeanna Layus • San Benancio Middle School
8th Grade
- Judges Award: Ginnette Hamelin • Los Arboles Middle School
- Judges Award: Mark Anthony Sebarrotin • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
Gabilan Award:
The Gabilan Award is for emerging writers who are still developing their skills and making progress toward proficiency.
6th Grade
- First: Mariana Munoz • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
- Second: Yesica Estrada Calvo • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
7th Grade
- First: Abraham Lozano • La Paz Middle School
- First: Maria Banez • La Paz Middle School
- Second: Hannah Wilkins • San Antonio Middle School
- Third: Ashley M. Smith • San Benancio Middle School
- Judges Award: Jason Alvarez • La Paz Middle School
8th Grade
- First: Analaya Barcinas • Los Arboles Middle School
- Second: Christine Nguyen • Los Arboles Middle School
Billy Buck Award:
The Billy Buck Award is for English Learners. English language learners are defined as students who do not speak English as their first language and are making progress towards proficiency in English.
6th Grade
- First: Hau Nguyen • Los Arboles Middle School
7th Grade
- First: Jose Iribe • Harden Middle School
- Second: Armando Garcia • La Paz Middle School
- Third: Adelfo Rua • Main Street Middle School
- Judges Award: Joanna Maravilla • La Paz Middle School
- Judges Award: Rocio Becerra • La Paz Middle School
Judges Award:
Each year the judges will find essays that demonstrate a particular creativity that does not reflect any of the categories. The essay might take a unique point of view or be particularly descriptive in the use of language. The judges have established these awards to recognize the special creative talents of some of our young writers.