Lisbon eighth-grader’s story included in anthology

LISBON — Ben Shambarger, an eighth grade student at Philip W. Sugg Middle School, recently became a a published author when he was selected as a winner in the Young Writers contest for students.
The fall 2017 theme for middle and high school students was scary stories. Ben’s story was one of 196 included in the “Spine Chillers” publication out of thousands submitted to the contest.

An avid devotee of literature, Ben is also active in a number of school activities, his principal Darren Ackerman said.
The PWS library regularly sponsors book fairs, and those at the school were excited to see Ben’s story in the book, said the principla, who added that many students are still seeking his autograph, school officials said.
“I didn’t have a real plan when I started,” Ben said. “The idea for my story just came to me. I left it on a cliff-hanger to leave people with questions and so they would wonder what was going on. I set it up so it could be anybody and from any person’s point of view. I didn’t use any names or gender so it could be anyone.”
The contest requires students to write to theme and they are given a word limit. Their teachers, in Ben’s case English/Language Arts teacher Madelyn Cornish, submit the completed story to the contest. Cornish invited all of her students to participate in the contest.
The school receives a copy of the book and parents and others may buy more copies, his mother, Angela Shambarger said.
“Benjamin loves scary stories and is interested in writing and decided to submit a story,” she said.

PHOTO: Ben Shambarger, an eight-grader at Phillip W. Sugg Middle School in Lisbon, shows of “Spine-Chillers,” the anthology that includes a story he wrote. Ben is one of 196 students in the nation out of thousands who entered the contest to be published in the book. (Submitted photo)