Two Mountain Home students were recognized on Monday at the Governor’s Mansion for their entries in the My Natural State Story Contest, a statewide writing competition inspired by outdoor experiences in Arkansas.
Reagan Souder, an eighth-grade student at Mountain Home Christian Academy, won the top prize in the Boating/Paddling category for her story, "Sunset on the Lake." Steele Smith, a student at Mountain Home Junior High, was named a finalist in the Hunting category for his story, "The Buck in the Ten Acre Field." They attended the ceremony alongside other honorees, representatives from state agencies, and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The contest, launched by Governor Sanders in August, invited Arkansas students to reflect on their outdoor experiences through personal storytelling to inspire others to spend more time outdoors. The competition drew over 1,800 submissions from across the state.
Souder’s winning story, which draws from family outings on Bull Shoals Lake, earned her an Arkansas Canoe Club prize pack, including a life jacket, helmet, and fees for river school for two. Souder shared with KTLO that she actively writes fiction and aspires to become a professional writer in the future.
The students' stories explore the beauty and lessons of Arkansas' natural surroundings. Souder’s narrative captures a family's time together on the lake, navigating dynamic weather and enjoying the vivid colors of a sunset. Smith’s entry recounts a memorable hunt with his father, emphasizing perseverance, patience, and the shared bond created during time spent outdoors.
The My Natural State Story Contest was supported by the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism. It highlighted the connection between Arkansans and the state’s natural beauty while encouraging young writers to share their perspectives on these experiences.