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2026 Thornton Wilder Writing Competition
Congratulations to the 2026 Winners!
1st place in Prose – Naomi Schwartz, Hopkins School, grade 10 for The Space Above
2nd place in Prose – Samir Iydroose, Hamden High School, grade 10 for Life Style
3rd place in Prose – Elsa Erard, Hamden High School, grade 9 for The Trees
1st place in Poetry – Michelle Etchie, Westover School, grade 12 for My grandmother hands me her rosary
2nd place in Poetry – Logan Montalvo, Westover School, grade 10 for Singing For My Grandpa
3rd place in Poetry – Annabella Liptak, Amity Regional High School, grade 9 for ink
Prizes
First Place -$800
Second Place – $400
Honorable Mention – $200
About Thornton Wilder
Thornton Wilder was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1897. He studied at Oberlin College and Yale University and later became a teacher of literature and creative writing. Both a novelist and a playwright, he is considered one of America’s foremost writers. Wilder won Pulitzer Prizes for the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927), as well as two plays – Our Town (1938) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1943). Another play, The Merchant of Yonkers (1939), which he rewrote as The Matchmaker, became the basis for the popular musical Hello, Dolly.
Thornton Wilder utilized his profits from the success of The Bridge of San Luis Rey to construct his residence in Hamden in 1929. Despite his extensive travels and prolonged absences, Wilder regarded Hamden as his primary residence until his passing in 1975. The “Washburn Colonial” continued to serve as the home of his sister, Isabel Wilder, until her death in 1995.
The Hamden Public Library system pays tribute to the legacy of Thornton Wilder by hosting an annual writing competition for high school students. Established in 1986 by Augusta Thomas and the Friends of Hamden Library, the awards presented each year are funded by the generous endowment provided by Isabel Wilder.
View Past Winners of the TWWC (2007-2025)
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