Bennington High School students put pen to paper in the first-ever Inkwell Short Story Contest—a new initiative celebrating student writing, imagination, and storytelling. With prize funding generously donated by local community member and BPS Alum ‘76 Connie Wickham, the contest challenged students to craft original short stories between 1,500 and 2,000 words that included one key element: a broken watch.
We’re thrilled to share the results of this exciting new tradition:
- 1st Place: Jay Kruse, freshman, with "Postscript" – $100 prize
- 2nd Place: Henry Houska, senior, with "Sinew" – $50 prize
- 3rd Place: Peyton Black, sophomore, with "Perennial" – $25 prize
Stories were judged by four local experts with deep experience in writing, editing, and publishing. Their thoughtful evaluations helped shine a spotlight on some truly remarkable young talent here at BHS.
But the story doesn't end there.
This contest has already sparked new momentum in the school’s writing community. Thanks to its success, Bennington High School is launching a new student writing club, co-sponsored by English teachers James Ginal and Ben Tompkins. The club will give students even more opportunities to hone their skills, share their work, and connect through storytelling.
How the Foundation Helps Build These Connections
The Inkwell Contest is a great example of how the BPS Foundation connects community generosity with student opportunity. This project began when Bennington High School English teacher Mr. Ben Tompkins brought us the idea for a creative writing contest. He had a vision and a willing donor—Mrs. Wickham, who generously offered to fund the prize money. The Foundation provided the avenue to receive and distribute the donation, turning a great idea into a meaningful experience for students.
“One of the most rewarding parts of our work is helping connect passionate community members to projects that matter in our schools,” said BPSF Executive Director Blake Thompson, “In this case, a teacher had an idea, a community member stepped up, and we helped bridge the gap. We’re proud to be that connector—and we’d love to do even more of it.”
Many people don’t realize the Foundation serves as a pass-through connector, helping community members support the activities and programs they care most about in our schools. If you’re interested in supporting a particular student group, academic department, or extracurricular activity in Bennington Public Schools, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a one-time donation or the beginning of something bigger, we’re here to help make it happen.
Reach out to Executive Director Blake Thompson at bthompson@bennps.org or 531.329.3710 to explore your ideas.
