GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Catherine Carney of Amherst, left, was selected as the grand prize winner in a national writing contest and was congratulated by award-winning children's illustrator Jerry Pinkney at the Central Library on Oct. 4. Jane Cooke, right, of Grand Island was one of two first prize honors. Students submitted an essay and accompanying original illustration depicting their favorite family story or memory. Catherine is an eighth grader from Amherst who attends Nardin Elementary Academy.