2024 Interview an Octogenarian Writing Contest Winner

Each year, school-age students are asked to interview someone around 80 from Toombs County and record what life was like when they were kids growing up in this community. We ask for these stories, in particular, to add to our Tales so that they have more parts for young folks.

The top three stories are awarded. All recipients receive a t-shirt and tickets to the play. The first-place winner also receives $100, recognition in The Advance newspaper and their story is written in next year’s edition of Tales from the Altamaha.

The 2024 Interview an Octogenarian contest recipients are as follows: Daniel Belooussov receives third place, Cooper Hardman gets second place, and Ruth Fontaine wins first place for her essay “Prom, Penicillin, and Buried Blood.” Ruth interviewed Mrs. Sue Johnson (age 86) and Mrs. Martha Shepherd (age 80). You can watch their adventures brought to life on stage next year as Ruth’s story has been recorded, and it will live on in next year’s Tales from the Altamaha.

Congratulations to all of our winners.