The Osceola Warriors absolutely smashed the competition at the Largo Library’s short story contest last April, claiming seven out of the eight high school spots available.

The contest was open to sixth through twelfth graders, and over 300 students submitted a story. However, only sixteen students, eight from high school and eight from middle school, were picked to be finalists to compete for the grand pize of 500 dollars.

The Warriors were able to capture both third and first place with freshman Danielle Benson claiming third place and sophomore Michaela Moos taking first place. The remaining Osceola finalists were honorable mentions which included sophomore Brianna Patenaude, freshmen Madison Murphy, Margaret Hynes, and Brittney Bombard, and junior Jenna Shirley.

Here is an excerpt from one of the finalists’ stories, freshman Brittney Bombard.

“You’re just a stupid nurse, what would you know?” they taunted.
“You know damn well that I’m not just a nurse, I’m a surgeon,” was what I had learned was the appropriate thing to say when men targeted their degrading comments towards me.
They don’t respect me around here no one does.”

These stories may be fiction; however, Osceola has certainly earned some major respect. And that’s a fact.