Earlier this month, the Friends of the Buda Library announced the winners of its annual Youth Writers Contest.

In the 8-12 age group, Thaddeus Chancellor won first prize with his story of “The Race to Mars,” a tale of adventure starring a rather unlikely crew of space travelers.

In the 13-17 age group, Gabi Rivas won with her piece entitled “Fading Away,” a story about a person’s dream and its meaning.

All told, more than a dozen young writers in both age brackets s...