Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest
The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students in grades 5-8. Students must submit an original work of fiction under 750 words that features a character from a book they have read on their own and enjoyed. Stories can expand on the original story's plot or take the characters on a new adventure, there are no limitations!
Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.
- Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online (preferred) or on a print form and submit with your story.
- Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
- Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
- Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
- Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
- Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
- The deadline for 2024 entries was February 23, 2024.
- First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
- Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
- The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.
The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.
2024 Winners
The Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored the following 12 students in grades 5-8 for writing one of the top three entries for their grade levels the 2024 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. This year, 218 total stories were submitted to the annual contest, making these students' wins all the more noteworthy!
- Before the War, opens a new window by Anna Potts, Homeschool
- The Protector, opens a new window by Kyle Martin, Cottonwood Elementary
- Perfect, opens a new window by Aleah Adams, St. Vincent de Paul
- Weird Things Are Happening to Me, opens a new window by Mason Estep, Trinity Classical Academy
- A Wizard’s Beginning, opens a new window by Melaney Burt, Trinity Classical Academy
- Quidditch Dream, opens a new window by Elsie Christensen, Trinity Classical Academy
- The Secret, opens a new window by Lasya Kalamadugu, Millard North Middle School
- Misery, opens a new window by Sophia Collazo, Liberty Middle School
- Dog Man: The Furtastic Showdown with Catnapper, opens a new window by Minsu Lofties, Westside Middle School
- Post-War, opens a new window by Mya Bryant, Elkhorn Ridge Middle School
- Orchid’s Drive to Arkansas, opens a new window by Elise Mays, Westside Middle School
- Words I Never Got to Say, opens a new window by Abigail Kwon, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School
Past Winners
The Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored the following 12 students in grades 5-8 for writing one of the top three entries for their grade levels the 2023 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. This year, 376 total submissions were submitted to the annual contest, making these students' wins all the more noteworthy!
5th Grade
- Soup by Xi Lin, Fire Ridge Elementary
- The Book Rescuer by Violet Jackson, Trinity Classical Academy
- The Thieving Life of Young Qibli by Nathaniel Harrison, Fairview Elementary
6th Grade
- If Little Red Riding Hood Got To Her Grandma's House First by Sofia Sosa, Millard Central Middle School
- Missing by Irish Gabrial Gallagher, Swanson Elementary School
- Stay Secret, Stay Hidden, Stay Safe by Lia Castro, Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School
7th Grade
- Before He Was Magic by Emma Wavra, George Beadle Middle School
- Unambiguous by Jay Kruse, Bennington Middle School
- Typhoon by Cecilia Elgert, Russell Middle School
8th Grade
- Adventures With Rudy by Jillian Narber, Elkhorn Middle School
- For My Sister Who Lives in the Stars by Kylee McMahon, Russell Middle School
- Not What It Seems by Finch Grey (Mia Bartel), Lewis & Clark Middle School
The Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored the following 12 students in grades 5-8 for writing one of the top three entries for their grade levels the 2022 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. This year, 402 total submissions were submitted to the annual contest, making these students' wins all the more noteworthy!
5th Grade
- Anne's Journey Home by Josslyn Linger, Trinity Classical Academy
- Norberta's Way Home by Lia Castro, West Dodge Station Elementary
- Pompeii: Resurrection by Michael Rusch, St. Pius / St. Leo School
6th Grade
- The Story of the 3rd Little Piggy by Parthiv Modulla, Swanson Elementary School
- The End of the Night Witch by Milo Lee, Holy Cross Catholic School
- The Fall to Wonder by Mya Bryant, Elkhorn Ridge Middle School
7th Grade
- Milo's Precious Time by Ashmiza Shaik, Millard North Middle School
- Graduation by Kailey Hennessey, St. Pius / St. Leo School
- An Out of This World Shootout by Luke Sewell, Christ the King Catholic School
8th Grade
- In That Place After Death by Claire Aguilar, Christ the King Catholic School
- The White Blade by Charlotte Cullum, Millard Central Middle School
- Brick by Brick by Nora Barth, St. Vincent de Paul School
Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored the following 12 students in grades 5-8 for writing one of the top three entries for their grade levels the 2021 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. This year, 540 total submissions were submitted to the annual contest, making these students' wins all the more noteworthy!
5th Grade
- The Baby-Zoomer’s Club: Claudia Conquers Coronavirus, opens a new window by Beatrix Gabrial Gallagher, Swanson Elementary School
- Aslan's Apprentice, opens a new window by Emma Zakaras, Trinity Classical Academy
- Ginny's Diary, opens a new window by Karen Lichtenberg, Mary Our Queen Catholic School
6th Grade
- Chimera, opens a new window by Lydia Harlow, Millard North Middle School
- Look Back: Esther's Story, opens a new window by Niharika Kandari, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School
- The Grinch Steals Halloween, opens a new window by Kairi Kennedy, Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School
7th Grade
- Run Fast, Be Safe, and Live Free, opens a new window by Lizzie Swanson, Westside Middle School
- Tool of the Mind, opens a new window by Hayden Blaney, St. James/Seton Catholic School
- The Artificial Longing of the Thunderhead, opens a new window by Erica Zhang, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School
8th Grade
- The Dress, opens a new window by Lydia Cahill, Papillion Middle School
- Saying Hello, opens a new window by Sage Moore, Millard Central Middle School
- Let the Angel Drum, opens a new window by Ella Wever, Elkhorn Ridge Middle School
Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored the following 12 students in grades 5-8 for writing one of the top three entries for their grade levels the 2020 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. This year, 369 total submissions were submitted to the annual contest, making these students' wins all the more noteworthy!
5th Grade
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Continued, opens a new window by Harper Keber, West Bay Elementary School
- Charlotte's Adventures Before Wilbur, opens a new window by Hudson Fowler, Trinity Classical Academy
- The Girls' Narnia Adventure, opens a new window by Nora Wessel, Gifford Park Elementary
6th Grade
- Medusa, opens a new window by Jenna Pospisil, Beveridge Magnet Middle School
- Consequences, opens a new window by Blake Kurzenberger, Hillside Elementary School
- Emily's Ring, opens a new window by Sophie Quarles, Peter Kiewit Middle School
7th Grade
- Here Again, opens a new window by Faith Johnson, George Russell Middle School
- Ripple and the Scavengers, opens a new window by Jacob Strufing, Elkhorn Valley View Middle School
- If the Sea With Met the Mistress of Darkness, opens a new window by Lynley Janovich, George Beadle Middle School
8th Grade
- Why is Today Different?, opens a new window by Josephine McPhaull, Andersen Middle School
- Lucy?, opens a new window by Emma Rhode, Millard North Middle School
- The Wound That Would Never Heal, opens a new window by Ingrid Florea, George Russell Middle School
Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored 12 students in grades 5-8 for their winning Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest stories on April 28, 2019. View photos from the event., opens a new window
5th Grade
- Charlotte's Adventure, opens a new window by Londyn Czerwinski, Trinity Classical Academy
- The New Neighbor, opens a new window by Alena Kehm, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Some Things Never Change by Justice Frodermann, Lux Mundi Home School
6th Grade
- If You Give A Mouse A Library Card, opens a new window by Christian Abels, Trinity Classical Academy
- Winnie the Pooh: Private-Eye, opens a new window by Josiah Manna, Trinity Classical Academy
- The Man with the Yellow Hat, opens a new window by Oliver Troshynski, Trinity Classical Academy
7th Grade
- Kindred Spirits In The Depths Of Despair, opens a new window by Ruby Wray, Westside Middle School
- Free Shots, opens a new window by Mirin Wieser, St. Wenceslaus Catholic School
- Kestrel's Journey, opens a new window by Natalie Hill, Millard North Middle School
8th Grade
- Pac-Man Escape, opens a new window by Andrea Waller, Alfonza W. Davis Middle School
- July 23, opens a new window by Makayla Acouetey, Morton Magnet Middle School
- Socks and the Toddler of Terror, opens a new window by Zipporah Piper, Yellow Brick Road Academy Home School
Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored 12 students in grades 5-8 for their winning Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest stories on April 29, 2018. View photos from the event., opens a new window
5th Grade
- Frog and Toad, opens a new window by Christian Abels, Trinity Classical Academy
- To Kill Time, opens a new window by Lydia Paprocki, Hitchcock Elementary
- Buzz and the Big Mountain Race, opens a new window by Ryan Mendlick, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
6th Grade
- Michael Vey and the Stolen Book , opens a new windowby Salahaldyn Khair Allah, Prairie Lane Elementary School
- A Visit to Thorn Valley, opens a new window by Kaitlyn Van Voorst, Van Voorst Academy
- Taylor Ridley- the Early Days at Meridian High, opens a new window by Maggie McGill, St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School
7th Grade
- One Crazy Vacation, opens a new window by Alexandra Nigrila, George Beadle Middle School
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, opens a new window by Asusena Hernandez, Beveridge Magnet Middle School
- The Beginning of Ivan by Jude G.J. Winslow, Foxcatcher Homeschool
8th Grade
- The Sea Calls--Treasure Island: 50 Years Later, opens a new window by Malerie G. Birkel, Alfonza W. Davis Middle School
- George’s Last Stand, opens a new window by Nathan Chan, Westside Middle School
- Chicken Leg, opens a new window by Nicole Lin, Russell Middle School
Friends of the Omaha Public Library honored 12 students in grades 5-8 for their winning Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest essays on April 23, 2017.
5th Grade
- James Potter and the Train Ride to Hogwarts , opens a new window by Maggie McGill, St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School
- Laura and the Big Party, opens a new window by Andrea Wemhoff, St. Peter’s Home School
- Luna and the Cooking Contest, opens a new window by Claire Niehaus, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
6th Grade
- Shakespeare Showdown! by Ava M. Luehrs, Alfonza W. Davis Middle School
- The Unpredictable Adventures of Mother Goose, opens a new window by Will Clark, St. Margaret Mary School
- The Haunted Jail, opens a new window by Lily Turner, R.M. Marrs Magnet Center
7th Grade
- Haymitch Abernathy: The Price of Defiance, opens a new window by Sara Kalamaja, St. Stephen the Martyr School
- The Fault in Our Stars, opens a new window by Sophia Mace, St. James/Seton School
- Papa’s Home by Ava Van Gelder, Westside Middle School
8th Grade
- The Darkness Arises by Joseph Zhong, Millard North Middle School
- Future Found, opens a new window by Josh Mason, Peter Kiewit Middle School
- The Reichenbach Tragedy, opens a new window by Jude Kraft, Kraft Homeschool
