May 14, 2025
A Bradley Elementary School student was recently recognized for excellence in writing. Fourth-grade student Luca Grassi was among five students nationwide to win Scholastic Storyworks’ Alaska Earthquake Contest.
Scholastic Storyworks is an English language arts skills building magazine geared toward elementary-aged students. The magazine hosts writing contests based on featured articles and stories to get students excited about writing. Open to students in grades 2-8, Storyworks contests prompt students to write essays, journal entries, letters, speeches and news articles to demonstrate their writing and reading comprehension skills.
After reading The Day Alaska Shook by Lauren Tarshis in Mrs. Gallagher’s class, Luca decided to enter the Alaska Earthquake Contest. Participants were asked to pretend they were on-scene reporters and write a descriptive paragraph explaining what happened during the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964.
Out of hundreds of entries nationwide, Luca was named a winner and earned a certificate as well as a signed copy of Lauren Tarshis’ book I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake.
“Entering the contest was solely Luca’s idea; he took the initiative to submit his entry,” said Mrs. Gallagher. “He is creative, intelligent and interested in the world and its history. I am very proud to be his teacher.”