Local First Grader Wins National Writing Competition — Featuring a Monster, a Troll, and a Tiger

Alamogordo has a new champion — and he's only in first grade. Grant Inetianbor, a six-year-old student at Destinations Career Academy of New Mexico (NMDCA), has been named a first-place winner in the inaugural K12 Writing Competition, beating out thousands of young writers from across the country with a wildly imaginative tale called "Super Troll."

The national competition drew more than 2,000 submissions from K12-powered students across the United States, and nearly 26,000 public votes were cast before the winners were announced. Grant, who is in his very first year at NMDCA, was recognized in the fiction category. First-place winners receive a $250 prize, and their entries will be published in an official K12 Writing Competition book.

For Grant's father, John Inetianbor, the win was as surprising as it was moving. He had simply encouraged his son to write — not expecting a national award to follow. "Grant is always so excited to write and learn new things at school," John said. "It meant a lot to see his creativity recognized. We're very grateful that the school gives students opportunities like this that build confidence and encourage their talents."

The Inetianbor family chose NMDCA deliberately. Grant has two older siblings also enrolled at the school — one in 5th grade and one in 6th — both of whom are active in school competitions and share a love of writing. It was watching them that first inspired Grant to pick up a pencil and dive in himself.

That enthusiasm clearly paid off. Grant's winning story, "Super Troll," is a charming, action-packed adventure that showcases a six-year-old's imagination at full throttle.

It's the kind of story only a first grader could write — and that, evidently, is exactly what the judges were looking for.

NMDCA Executive Director Daniel Diamond congratulated both New Mexico winners — Grant and fellow first-place honoree Kelsie Annichiarico, a ninth grader from Gallup who won in the same fiction category for her piece, "The Truth."

"We saw students' imagination, heart, and powerful voices on full display this year. Congratulations to both Kelsie and Grant on their much-deserved wins."

— DANIEL DIAMOND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NMDCA

NMDCA is a tuition-free online public school serving K–12 students statewide, powered by K12, a Stride, Inc. portfolio brand. 

Congratulations on Grant's debut, Alamogordo's newest literary star is six years old, and he's just getting started.

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