Wakefield Country Day School students were once again among those recognized in the annual Storytelling Contest hosted by Foothills Forum and the Rappahannock News. The contest continues to highlight the power of local storytelling, inviting students to look closely at the lives and histories that shape their own communities. WCDS is proud to participate each year in this meaningful competition, made possible by two organizations the school frequently partners with through the Upper School Media and Journalism program and other collaborative efforts that support student writing and journalism across all age levels.
Now in its eighth year, the contest challenges students to write a true story in 600 words or fewer about someone from their grandparents’ generation or older, then reflect on what that story reveals about family, history, and place. Students are also asked to work like reporters, conducting interviews, gathering quotes, and verifying key historical details. The result is a set of deeply personal, carefully researched stories that connect individual family narratives to the broader community.
Brendan Griffin Earns Brooks Prize
A major highlight of this year’s contest was the recognition of WCDS 10th Grader Brendan Griffin, who received the Brooks Prize for his essay “One Life.”
Griffin’s piece tells the story of his great-grandfather and a still-unsolved murder in Flint Hill, combining personal family history with strong reporting and clear narrative focus. Judges recognized the essay for its careful sourcing, concise structure, and journalistic quality.
The Brooks Prize, a $500 award named for Foothills Forum emeritus board member Stephen Brooks, honors the entry that best reflects the principles of strong local journalism, including accuracy, significance, and a meaningful connection to community. In addition to the award, Griffin will receive a behind-the-scenes look at how a newspaper is produced.
Andy Alexander and Eve Brooks present the inaugural Brooks Prize to Brendan Griffin. The prize, honoring Eve's husband Stephen, sought to honor the entry that most embodied the goals of strong local journalism.
WCDS Student Honorees Across Grade Levels
Wakefield Country Day School students were well represented among this year’s honorees across all divisions.
In the Grades 7–8 category, 8th Grader Miriam Green earned recognition for her submission.
In the Grades 9–10 division, 10th Graders Emily Diehl and Mia Blank were recognized alongside Brooks Prize winner Brendan Griffin. Honorable mentions in this group went to 10th Graders Hazel Loveday and Maddie Addeo.
In the Grades 11–12 category, seniors Joel Baca and Mahdi Rahimi received honorable mention recognitions for their work.
Winning entries will be published in the Rappahannock News in both print and online editions, giving student writers the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience beyond the classroom.
Writing at the Center of a WCDS Education
The Storytelling Contest, now in its eighth year, is organized by Foothills Forum and the Rappahannock News and continues to encourage students to explore the history and lived experiences within their own communities. This year’s submissions reflected not only strong writing, but also the discipline of reporting, research, and reflection.
At Wakefield Country Day School, a strong emphasis on writing sits at the core of the educational experience. Students are consistently challenged to think critically, write clearly, and engage deeply with language across disciplines. Many alumni of WCDS credit this foundation in writing, along with the school’s classical approach to education, as a key factor in their success in college and beyond.
WCDS values its ongoing relationship with Foothills Forum and the Rappahannock News, which regularly support student journalism through classroom partnerships and real-world publishing opportunities. Whether through this annual contest or contributions from Media and Journalism students, the collaboration helps students develop their voices while engaging meaningfully with local history and storytelling.