Highlights for Children Yearly Fiction Contest--An Announcement!

Months ago, I found out about the yearly fiction contest over at Highlights for Children magazine. This year, the theme was "holidays". 

Hmmm...

• My sisters and I loved reading Highlights magazine as kids--still do, actually--and nowadays my nephew and nieces wait for every issue. 
  
• I love writing for kids. 
  
• I adore holidays; I buy Christmas gifts in August and ration those shiny Valentine's hearts so they last until the chocolate Easter eggs come out. (Okay, maybe I just adore candy.)
  
• All submissions that didn't win the contest would be automatically considered for publication in the magazine. 

It was a win-win. So I sat down and scribbled a little story, working around a lovely holiday--Easter--and weaving in culture from a favorite country--Ukraine. 

And it won! "Easter with Baba Lena" won the Highlights for Children Yearly Fiction Contest! 

I still don't believe it. 

But here's the link to prove it. It's one of three winning stories.

One more thing: 

I've grown up with the Bible verse about "pride goeth before a fall". Mama always said "don't brag on yourself." My German roots and Mennonite culture don't like making this announcement. But as a friend said, maybe my news can inspire others to work toward their dreams. 

Sometimes dreams come true.