Molly Bledsoe (center), a Barrington High School student who recently won the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation Creative Writing Contest, stands with Meg and John DeCubellis, parents of the late Katie DeCubellis.

According to Barrington High School junior Molly Bledsoe, it's the "little things" that make the idea of paying it forward work, like buying a coffee for the person in line behind you. The judges of this year's fourth annual Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation Creative Writing Contest agreed, and awarded Molly, a Lincoln Avenue resident, first place for her short story submission at a ceremony at the Warwick Mall last Monday.

Using this year's contest theme of paying it forward, a term describing the chain reaction of doing a good deed, Molly wrote a story about people waiting in line for a coffee shop.

"I was just thinking of how to incorporate that idea into my story," she said. "I really did not think I would win — I didn't even think it was that good when I entered it. But it's an honor."

Molly was one of 65 high school students from around the state who submitted an entry for the contest; she first learned about it after noticing a poster at the Barrington Public Library. A writing enthusiast who had never attempted to submit her work to a competition before, Molly remembered thinking, "why not?"

After passing through an initial round judged by a panel of high school English teachers, Molly's submission beat out 15 other finalists as the first choice of final judge and Rhode Island's Poet Laureate, Lisa Starr.

"I was in turn inspired, amused and moved to tears by the essays, poems and stories I read," Ms. Starr said. "It was a privilege to read this fine work, and to be reminded once again the best way, perhaps the only way, we can make the world a better place is one simple, small good deed at a time."

In Molly's story, coffee shop patrons realize that even the smallest of actions can have greater and unforeseen consequences: "I think it's pretty important," she said. "There's so much violence in the world — even a little thing can make a difference, I think."

About the contest

The contest was also a way to honor the memory of Katie DeCubellis, the 13-year-old Narragansett student killed by a drunk driver in 1999 for whom the foundation was named. The Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation seeks to educate and promote youth leadership among young people and spread awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.

"Each year, we receive submissions from so many talented writers, it's difficult to decide on the winners," said foundation president Joel Chase. "In the writing contest, and in so many ways, Katie's life and legacy continues to live on."

For her accomplishment, Molly was awarded a prize of $500, but just as important has been the opportunity to be recognized for one of her passions.

"[Writing] is one of my big interests," said Molly, who added that she hoped to pursue a career as a writer or English teacher.

by scott o'connell

soconnell@eastbaynewspapers.com