During December, the Great River Regional Library celebrates Short Story Writing Month (ShoStoWriMo). Teens and adults could enter their unique stories about this historical image from the Stearns History Museum. We asked writers to compose their stories in only 33 words (since we have 33 locations), making it a real short-story challenge.
Thank you to all who participated and enjoyed the challenge.
Here are the story submissions for you to read and enjoy:
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"The crowd cheered their team on as if by their voices alone they could win the game. "Fight! Win! Go!" went the cheers and they landed home. The team won the game." - Ana, home library: Paynesville
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"The Majorettes waited their turn to be on stage. As they watched the play, the unthinkable happened. The Wise man tripped and sent Baby Jesus flying into the audience. Merry Christmas to you." - Rosemary; home library: Big Lake
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"No! After years of struggle, to have our freedom, our autonomy, our respect ripped away so quickly is devastating. “This present moment used to be the unimaginable future.” Roe v. Wade is overturned." - LuAnn, home library: Little Falls
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"Before us stood Jack, the beloved band director. Just a few years older than us; a stunning one at that. Down on one knee now proposing to Ellen, the hated Phy Ed teacher." - David, home library: Monticello
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"It was grueling, but the first (and last!) annual Simon Says competition went on for days until Simon didn’t say, “kneel!” and got the majority of the competitors out in one fell swoop." - Laura, home library: GRRL2Go Sartell
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"'Betty! That's the third time this month!' her friend shouted after an errant baton decapitated the high school's principal." - Richard, home library: St. Cloud
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"They were devastated by the news that their marching band director was leaving for cross-town rival school East Side High. However, Trixie, Dianne, and Doris used this opportunity to start their own band." - Marla, home library: Monticello
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"They finally arrived at the State Competition. The bus driver must have completely gone bats. The girls stepped out. The driver took off! 'Hey!' they yelled, 'We still need our batons and hats!'" - Dan, home library: Delano
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"The crowd gazed upon the purple penguin and his pet monkey as they skipped around the park, and they all thought the same thing: This was going to be the best Christmas ever!" - Andrew, home library: St. Cloud
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"THIS IS A PICTURE OF A GROUP OF YOUNG GIRLS REHEARSING FOR A CHORUS, UPON HEARING THE TRAGEDY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY BEING SHOT, IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO PRAYER FOR HIS LIFE TO YET CONTINUE." - DORCELLA, home library: St. Cloud
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"THIS A GROUP OF YOUNG LADIES WAITING TO HEAR WHICH BAND WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN AN UPCOMING PARADE HONORING VETERANS IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES, ALL DEPLOYMENT ERAS, AND THEIR FAMILIES." - DORCELLA, home library: St. Cloud
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"Oh, the pain of loss! The Blue Knights are lauded with two flags dropped and a rifle. The Red Rangers to their knees at the injustice. Who's favor is honored here? Shame!" - Judy, home library: Little Falls
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"The anxiousness, the suspense. Everyone was aching for the end, but it must be in their favor. If they could yell louder than they could play their instruments, they would influence the outcome." - Phil, home library: Albany
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"What? Did you see that!! No way! Who did it? Who's going to believe it? Wow! They really got away with that? I sure hope someone got a picture for the yearbook." - Lois, home library: Albany
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"Every dynasty must fall, but every underdog gets their day. The crowd weeps and wails and shouts in exuberance as the Queen of the Ring gets her crown knocked off by Southpaw Suze!" - Annie, home library: Staples
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"All it took was the susurration of a ball falling through a hoop to stun the crowd. A championship seemed inexorable to the students that morning, but now it’ll only stay a dream." - Ellie, home library: Elk River
