St. Mary’s Dominican High School seniors Ellen Darcey and Cadence Jackson, and junior Gabrielle Marcello were among the October/November National English Honor Society (NEHS) Flash Fiction Contest Winners: Six-Word Stories. Any member from an active chapter, student or advisor, may submit original flash fiction based on this round’s theme of “six-word stories.” A six-word story is a complete story told in just six words. Their entries were “Birthday Flowers” by Ellen Darcey; “The Burden of Grief” by Cadence Jackson; “The Optimist” by Gabrielle Marcello. The students are members of Dominican’s Veritas Chapter of the NEHS.
The “six-word stories” must be complete stories and be exactly six words; the best of the stories will carry a “punch,” causing the readers to an unexpected reaction. For the “letter form,” writers are asked to craft a letter to an individual who has changed the way the writer thinks. Letters may be addressed to actual individuals, living or deceased, or to fictional characters that have lingered in the mind of the writer. Finally, the longest form of flash fiction for this year will be “memoirs,” short personal narratives that focus a unique event or experience in the life of the writer.
Founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, NEHS is the only international organization exclusively for high school students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Members of Dominican’s Veritas Chapter of the NEHS must have a 3.75 average in English and a 3.5 GPA. Dominican’s Veritas Chapter head moderator is Kristin Thomas and co-moderator is Charlene Ford.