WPS Students Recognized as Finalists in Annual Young Authors Contest

4/8/2026

Berlin, MD – The Eastern Shore Literacy Association (ESLA) has recently announced that 19 students from Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) have achieved finalist status in the Young Authors Contest, which includes categories for both poetry and short stories. Students from public, private, and homeschool settings in grades 1–12 were recognized for their outstanding poetry and short stories, with more than 300 entries submitted for judging. Each finalist ranked among the top three in their respective categories and grade levels.

2026 ELSA Young Authors Finalists from WPS:

Grade 1, Poetry – 1^st Place: Lainie Booth
Grade 1, Poetry – 2nd Place: Reagan Whitlock
Grade 3, Poetry – 2nd Place: Nicole Sebastian
Grade 4, Short Story – 1st Place: Wesley Weeth
Grade 4, Short Story – 2nd Place: Eleanor Broughel
Grade 5, Poetry – 2nd Place (tie): Emily Leiner
Grade 5, Short Story – 1st Place: Hristina Gjoni
Grade 5, Short Story – 2nd Place (tie): Addilyn Fawcett
Grade 7, Poetry – 1st Place: Serena Jaoude
Grade 7, Short Story – 1st Place: Eli Parker
Grade 7, Short Story – 2nd Place: Nikol Petkova
Grade 7, Short Story – 3rd Place: Emilie Wagner
Grade 8, Short Story – 3^rd Place: Brooklyn DelliGatti
Grade 9, Poetry – 2nd Place (tie): Hannah Coyle
Grade 9, Poetry – 1^st Place: Sophia Nguyen
Grade 11, Poetry – 2^nd Place (tie): Sydney Parker
Grade 11, Short Story – 3^rd Place: Lyla Roberts
Grade 12, Poetry – 2^nd Place (tie): Jamie Nguyen
Grade 12, Short Story – 1st Place: Jamie Nguyen
Grade 12, Short Story – 3^rd Place: Catherine Cullen

In addition, three WPS students went on to win first and second in the state.

Shore State Winners:

Grade 1, Poetry, 2nd Place – Lainie Booth, Worcester Preparatory

Grade 7, Short Story, 1st Place – Serena Jaoude, Worcester Preparatory

Grade 12, Short Story, 2nd Place – Jamie Nguyen, Worcester Preparatory

ESLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a literate society across Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. They facilitate a collaborative network focused on advancing literacy through various programs and services. ESLA is affiliated with the State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA), a prominent literacy organization in Maryland, which boasts over 1,500 members across 17 active chapters.

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent institution offering education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. The school serves approximately 500 students from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410-641-3575.

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Pictured are Worcester Preparatory School students who achieved finalist status in the Eastern Shore Literacy Association (ESLA) Young Authors Contest. Front row (from left): Lainie Booth (Fenwick Island, DE), Reagan Whitlock (Lewes, DE), Nicole Sebastian (Berlin, MD), Wesley Weeth (Rehoboth Beach, DE), and Eleanor Broughel (Ocean Pines, MD). Second row (from left): Emily Leiner (Ocean City, MD), Addilyn Fawcett (Bethany Beach, DE), and Hristina Gjoni (Berlin, MD). Third row (from left): Serena Jaoude (Lewes, DE/1st Place, State Winner), Nikol Petkova (Ocean City, MD), Eli Parker (Snow Hill, MD), Brooklyn DelliGatti (Berlin, MD), and Emilie Wagner (Salisbury, MD). Back row (from left): Ayla Roberts (Berlin, MD), Sophia Nguyen (Dagsboro, DE), Jamie Nguyen (Dagsboro, DE), Sydney Parker (Snow Hill, MD), and Hannah Coyle (Berlin, MD). Not pictured: Catherine Cullen.
Serena Jaoude (Lewes, DE), pictured center, received 1st place in the state for her Grade 7 short story. She is joined by her teacher, Mrs. Allison Bescak, and Head of Middle School, Mr. Jake Perry.

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.