The 21st annual Island Literary Awards were held April 27, 2008 at the Guild. Island humourist Patrick Ledwell hosted a glittering array of guests, including PEI Poet Laureate David Helwig; PEI Lt.-Gov. Barbara Hagerman; Provincial Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs & Labour, Carolyn Bertram; and Charlottetown City Councillor Kim Devine. Author Deirdre Kessler presented selections from the journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery and writer/publisher/weaver Libby Oughton gave memories of artist Hilda Woolnough, to whom this year’s ILAs were dedicated. It was a great afternoon, punctuated with wonderful readings from our first place winners and Patrick’s quick-witted humour with over 100 people in attendance.

The winners were:

STUDENT AWARDS

Dept. of Education Young Writer’s Award

Third Place – Nathan Jordan Rainnie
Second Place – Keegan Marr
First Place – Meagan McCardle

Aliant Creative Writing Awards for Young People

Early Elementary Third Place – Kendall Perry
Early Elementary Second Place – Nicholas Koughan
Early Elementary First Place – Laura Sharpe

Late Elementary Third Place – Nadia McNairn
Late Elementary Second Place – Charlotte R. Sullivan
Late Elementary First Place – Jessica Walsh

Junior High Third Place – Olivia Callbeck
Junior High Second Place – Sidney Cushman
Junior High First Place – Meagan McCardle

Senior High Third Place – Maggie DaFonseca
Senior High Second Place – Parker Baglole
Senior High First Place – Morgan Wagner

SHORT STORY AWARDS

Honourable Mention – Amanda Morrison
Third Place – Shirley Limbert
Second Place – Tom Marshall
First Place – Malcolm Murray

L.M. MONTGOMERY PEI LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AWARDS

Third Place – Joan Sutton
Second Place – Jodi Hawkins
First Place -Orysia Dawydiak

THE MILTON ACORN POETRY AWARDS

Honourable Mention – Steve Mayoff
Third Place – Victoria Coulson
Second Place – Paul Vreeland
First Place – Kirstie MacCallum

CREATIVE NON-FICTION AWARDS

Third Place – Margo Connors
Second Place – Daniel Bay
First Place – David Speare

THE RÉSHARD GOOL AWARD

Kati Ross & Mathew Henderson

AWARD – FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE LITERARY ARTS OF PEI

Dianne Morrow