EPHS Sophomore Shines with Regional Writing Award

Eagle Point High School sophomore Jamie Tepper recently received regional recognition in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for their short story, “Even the Brightest Stars.” Jamie was surprised by this honor, as being selected for regional recognition is a significant achievement and a personal milestone.

“This is the first award I’ve ever won,” Jamie shared. “It really means a lot to me!”

Jamie’s story explores the emotional depth and hidden struggles, following the perspective of a secondary character who supports a seemingly cheerful friend dealing with a personal loss. “It’s about how happy people don’t always feel happy inside,” Jamie explained. “You shouldn’t just expect them to be smiley all the time.”

While the story does not focus literally on stars, imagery serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the narrative. “The first line is, ‘He’s the brightest star in the solar system,’” Jamie noted. “There’s a lot of symbolism and metaphor tied to stars.”

Jamie’s journey into the contest began with encouragement from EPHS English teacher, Ms. Harris. “She told me about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards last year,” Jamie recalled. “I didn’t enter then, but this year I decided to go for it—and I didn’t expect to win anything. So when I found out I won regionals, I was just like, ‘Wow! This is so cool!’”

Winning the award has been more than just a personal victory; it has also changed Jamie’s perspective on writing. “I write a lot, but I’ve never thought of it as more than a hobby. This made me feel like maybe I could actually do something more with it.”

Looking ahead, Jamie is considering entering more writing competitions and even publishing a story. “My grandma offered to help with the cost of publishing, and I’m currently working on a few new stories. Maybe I’ll publish one of them someday.”

Jamie describes their writing style as realistic rather than cheerful. “I don’t usually write happy endings,” they said. “I’m more of a realist writer. I love using symbolism and metaphors to add meaning to my stories.”

With plenty of years ahead, Jamie is excited to continue growing as a writer and to see where their creativity might lead. “Once I figure out a little more about what I want to do after high school, I’ll focus more on publishing and sharing my work.”

A big congratulations to Jamie on her well-deserved recognition for storytelling!