This combination photo shows University of Alaska Southeast senior Stephanie Harasim and UAS freshman A.J. Schultz tied for first place in the spring history writing contest sponsored by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. (Courtesy Photos)

This combination photo shows University of Alaska Southeast senior Stephanie Harasim and UAS freshman A.J. Schultz tied for first place in the spring history writing contest sponsored by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. (Courtesy Photos)

UAS students tie for first place in history writing contest

Each took a moment in local history and developed a fictional character who experienced that event.

Two University of Alaska Southeast Juneau students tied for first place in the spring history writing contest sponsored by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society and the UAS Writing Center, the historical society announced.

Senior Stephanie Harasim and freshman A.J. Schultz each took a moment in Gastineau Channel history and developed a fictional character who experienced that event, according to the historical society. Harasim’s piece, “October 9, 1914,” imagines the indignation of a Juneau resident at a new local ordinance setting the speed limit at 8 mph. Shultz’s rendering, “The Unaccounted Man,” is a moment-by-moment description of a miner caught in the 1917 Treadwell cave-in. Both stories build in a surprise ending.

Each student won $250 and a 2023 membership in the historical society. Their stories are published in the current edition of Gastineau Heritage News (available online at juneauhistory.org). Sophia Gimm, who earned an honorable mention and is also a UAS student, wrote about an imagined encounter on the ill-fated ship, the Princess Sophia, which sunk near Juneau in 1918. Her story will be published in the fall edition, according to the historical society.

Judges included writing center director Jessy Goodman; Forest Haven, professor of anthropology and Native studies; Kevin Maier, Ph.D., professor of English; Kolene James, student equity and multicultural services manager, Native and rural student center; and Laury Scandling and Rich Mattson representing GCHS.

• Have a news tip? Email it to editor@juneauempire.com.

More in Neighbors

Staff of the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District carry a 15-foot-long lodgepole pine near the Silvis Lake area to a vessel for transport to Juneau on Nov. 30. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)
Together Tree departs Ketchikan for governor’s house in Juneau

A 15-foot lodgepole pine was loaded onto the U.S. Coast Guard cutter… Continue reading

A still frame from a production of Tlingit “Macbeth” at the National Museum of the American Indian in 2007. (Photo provided by Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Neighbors: SHI to sponsor its first-ever juried film festival

Event to be held during Celebration 2024

The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, who were named lead dance group for Celebration 2024. (Photo by Nobu Koch courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Neighbors: SHI launches contest for Celebration 2024 art design

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) is holding a contest to solicit a design… Continue reading

Stacks of dog and cat food sit on pallets after being donated during a previous Holiday Cat and Dog Food Drive hosted by the Grateful Dogs of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / George Utermohle)
Neighbors briefs

14th annual Holiday Cat and Dog Food Drive starts Dec. 4 From… Continue reading

A large foamy heart in a Juneau creek formed by decaying organic matter (dead leaves and twigs) at the Twin Lakes area Nov. 27. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
Art in Unusual Places

The Juneau Empire welcomes reader-submitted photos of art in unusual or unexpected… Continue reading

The author getting ready to host a holiday dinner for her family in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Stuffed with turkey sandwiches? Try stuffing turkey enchiladas

Now that you have eaten all the turkey sandwiches you want, all… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Living and Growing: Heartbreak Hill

Trying to write about beauty and our need for it is hard.… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the… Continue reading

A public notice about one of several Thanksgiving proclamations President Abraham Lincoln issued during the Civil War. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum)
Living and Growing: Give thanks with a grateful heart

Happy Thanksgiving! Once again we celebrate what is a distinctively American holiday,… Continue reading

Most Read