WINNER OF GEORGE DUNCAN ESSAY CONTEST
FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNOUNCED
Peterborough, NH (April 7, 2024) – The Monadnock Writers’ Group is pleased to announce
the winner of its 2024 George Duncan Essay Contest, Holly Gary, a freshman at ConVal
Regional High School. She will read her essay at the organization’s meeting on May 11, at 9:45
a.m.
High school students from across the Monadnock Region were asked to submit persuasive,
fact-based op-ed style essays that address a political issue in the news. With her interest in
technology, Holly Gary selected generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on education
as her topic. “I care about how schools are. Sometimes they seem like a waste of time. It would
be interesting to choose what I want to learn, like software programming.” Gary sees AI as a
way to provide choices in education.
Gary has experienced many different approaches to schooling. Today she lives in
Peterborough with her parents and two siblings. Due to frequent relocations, she has lived in
various states and countries including Florida, China, and Singapore. Asked about the future,
Gary says she wants to go into technology, perhaps working with AI.
Ron McIntire, Contest Coordinator and Monadnock Writers’ Group board member, commented
that Holly Gary’s submission “demonstrated a knowledge of the topic.” He added that the
Monadnock Writers’ Group was pleased to receive a number of submissions showing today’s
teenagers are aware and have opinions on world events and technology changes.”
The Monadnock Writers’ Group began the high school essay contest to honor the memory of
George Duncan, a long-time board member and award-winning author. He was well known for
his political commentary. Through a gift from the Duncan Family, the Monadnock Writers’ Group is able to award the contest winner a prize of $250.
Since 1984 the Monadnock Writers’ Group (MWG) has supported local writers of all genres and
levels of achievement. Monthly meetings, held on the third Saturday of each month, bring a
variety of accomplished writers to the Monadnock Region to offer their experiences. In addition,
MWG publishes periodic anthologies and Smoky Quartz, a semiannual online journal of
literature and art. Throughout the year MWG hosts contests, public readings, and informal
gatherings to raise awareness of the literary talent in the Monadnock Region.
If you would like more information about the contest or Monadnock Writers’ Group, please email
monadnockwriters@gmail.com.