Yellowknife (Jul 05/06) - Three William McDonald school students won top prizes for writing entries in three major contests for young writers.

The three girls, Tamika Mulders, Megan McCormick and Katie Demarche, all Grade 8 students, had writing submitted by their teacher, Lynn Lalonde.

"I've always submitted my student's writing to contests," Lalonde said.

"Other students have won at times, but this is the first time I've had three winners at once."

Demarche was one of 10 winners for her book report on White Fang in a Scholastic Book Clubs contest. She won 100 books for her class and 10 books for herself.

Demarche said the books were all classics and very good - she's already read them all.

Mulders won first place in a national poetry competition through the Poetry Institute of Canada for her poem, When the Leaves Turn Green.

McCormick wrote a story that made it to a group of finalists through the Poetry Institute of Canada's Young Writer's contest.

She was published in an anthology titled The Sky is the Limit. The story is up for a regional and national award that will be judged in the fall.

"It is nice to receive prizes," Lalonde said. "But the real reward is being published."

Lalonde said this is not only great for the girl's self-esteem, but it brings hope and encouragement to the entire school to excel.