Salinas student wins Central Coast Writers short story contest

Victoria Mazariegos, a senior at Millennium Charter High School in Salinas, is the top winner in the first Central Coast Writers short story contest for Monterey County high school seniors. Mazariegos won $500 for her story, “The Boy Who Found His Ears,” the tale of a deaf boy who discovers refuge, solace and hope in a graffiti-covered freeway underpass.

Congratulations to Victoria and her parents, Eduardo and Silvia Mazariegos. Victoria plans to attend the UC-Davis in the fall with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

The short story contest of the Central Coast Writers is designed to encourage and inspire the next generation of creative writers, as well as to carry out its mission of educating writers of all ages and interests. Open to all Monterey County high school seniors, the contest awarded over $1,000 in prizes and was themed around a photograph of a graffiti-covered tunnel taken by member Ken Jones.

Judging was conducted by members of Central Coast Writers with backgrounds in either education or publishing, and was based on the overall quality of the writing, the development of the story, and the mechanics of writing. Retired educator and College Board consultant Leslie Patiño was the contest chair.

Other awards included:

Second place—Katharine Tinney, Salinas High School
Third place—Jenna Garden, Salinas High School
Honorable mentions—Sheldon Ozaeta, Millenium Charter High School; Andrea Resendiz, Greenfield High School; Tatjana Tam, Carmel High School

The winning stories are posted on the Central Coast Writers website,

Congratulations, writers! Write on!

Leslie Patiño and Victoria Mazariegos