Community Corner

Whiz Kid of the Week: Agustina Rius

The Richard Montgomery High student is a Gaithersburg Book Festival short story contest finalist.

Name: Agustina Rius

Age: 17

School: Richard Montgomery High School

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Accomplishment: Rius is one of 12 finalists in the high school short story contest at the , an annual all-day celebration of books, writers and literary excellence on May 21 at . "Whiz Kid of the Week" is featuring several of the contest's  in the weeks leading up to the festival.

Rius explained her short story in an email to Rockville Patch.

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"My story is about a 9-year-old boy, Leo, who left home and only took five things with him," Rius writes. "He likes watching birds and ants. Not only does he miss home, but wishes he never left. Leo reminds me of me. I'm a college-bound student that chooses to leave home, but will probably miss it!"

Key to Awesomeness: "I have always had an interest in writing," Rius writes. "I remember when I was younger, the United States announced that war in Iraq was imminent. I was shocked, so I wrote a paragraph to the Kids Post about why we should not go to war. But I stopped writing. And this year, I decided to take creative writing in school with my teacher Mrs. [Davina] Smith. I love it!"

Rius says that she also relies on her mother and sister as editors and role models for her writing.

"My mother and sister helped me to become a better writer. My sister writes beautifully and reading her college papers helped transform my writing. Also, their editing has taught me to refrain from comma splicing, from awkward phrasing and from spelling errors. Well-written novels really helped me write better. The more you read and imitate what you read, the better your writing will be. As my teacher says, details are so beautiful and so are strong characters. If you have an idea for a story, jot it down and get back to it when you feel like writing."

She draws inspiration from children.

"I love kids! I babysit around my neighborhood and I love being around their happiness. My story is about a carefree boy who suddenly realizes that he is in a world where things change. The kids I babysit will one day realize the change and grow up to be wary of consequences and of a changed world." 

Rius offers these tips for creative writing:

  1. Ask yourself what you would feel comfortable writing about. 
  2. Create a plot and start brainstorming great names that will suit the characters. 
  3. Start scribbling or clicking away. Do not erase anything unless it is awful. You can edit when you feel like you need a break.
  4. Lacking inspiration? Ask the person next to you for an idea. Or just wait until it comes to you.
  5. Have fun! 

"My family, my classmates, [Richard Montgomery High English teachers] Mr. [James] Agnew and Mrs. Smith help me feel comfortable with writing," Rius writes. "Thank you!"


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