Students Excel in New York Times Personal Narrative Contest

The Rumson Country Day School is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of eighth graders Hailey Fallon and Cara Frankenfeld, who finished in the top 15% of The New York Times 2024-25 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest. Their submissions stood out among 12,146 entries, advancing to at least the second round and placing them among the top 1,613 narratives.

The prestigious international contest tasked students, ages 13-19, with crafting a powerful memoir in just 100 words. In a congratulatory notice, the judges praised Cara and Hailey’s work for their unique topics and ability to weave a compelling story. For both students the experience was rewarding.

“I figured it would be like any other assignment, but it was a huge challenge to write a story in 100 words or less,” said Cara, reflecting on the process. "It really made me realize which words were necessary and which ones weren’t. I had to stop and walk away a few times to review it with fresh eyes. After it was all done, I was proud of myself.”

“I have to admit writing is not my favorite subject,” Hailey confessed. “But Mrs. Mulholland is a great teacher. She helped me understand that emotional stories make a bigger impact. That made me refocus my story around something everyone can relate to.”

Both narratives were deeply moving. Hailey’s "The Day That Didn’t Feel Real" explored the grief of losing a loved one, while Cara’s "Not All Heroes Wear Capes" told the tense story of a choking incident.

Hailey and Cara were guided by RCDS Language Arts Teacher Carolyn Mulholland, whose honest, direct feedback helped them dig deep and produce their best work.

“She can be brutally honest,” Cara laughed.

“But in a good way,” Hailey added. “She pushes us to do better.”

Mrs. Mulholland says her overall goal is to prepare students for their futures by instilling a love of reading, strengthening their writing fluency, their editing skills, and their ability to advocate for themselves as confident communicators.

“In a world where the art of writing is being lost due to social media and texting, it's powerful to see our students succeed and be recognized for their skills,” said Mrs. Mulholland. “To create a personal narrative with a beginning, middle, and an end—in just 100 words—while adding style and emotion is incredibly difficult. Hailey and Cara are both extremely hard-working students, and they rose to the challenge.”

Mrs. Mulholland integrates daily writing prompts into her curriculum, spanning creative, narrative, and expository writing, with public speaking exercises woven throughout. Above all else, she encourages her students to read as much as possible.

“The benefits of reading are across the board,” said Mrs. Mulholland. “Reading makes you a better writer. It makes you a better speaker. It gives you knowledge and background to be an all-around educated individual.”

Currently, Hailey and Cara are members of the same student book club. 

“Mrs. Mullholland always says that if you want to be smarter, read more,” said Cara.

As the eighth-grade students plan to take their next steps—Hailey heading to Blair Academy next year and Cara to The Ranney School—they will carry with them the skills honed at RCDS. But before they go, Mrs. Mulholland is already encouraging her students to take on the next The New York Times national challenge—a five-minute original podcast that informs and entertains.

Read Hailey and Cara's personal narratives below!

The Day That Didn’t Feel Real 
by Hailey Fallon

We sat down for dinner as my parents told us the news. My siblings and I had the chance to say goodbye the night before over Facetime, but it didn’t feel real. She was lying in the hospital in agony, hooked up to machines. Her face was pale and wrinkled. She looked older and sadder. I wanted to be with her, but I couldn’t. The only thing that separated us was a plane ride and the COVID epidemic, but there was no time, she was gone.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes
by Cara Frankenfield

Staring at the saliva on the floor, my hands on my knees, trembling with sweat palms, I kept trying. Gasping and wheezing for breath, the lump in my throat refused to budge. The TV and my sister’s panicked voice faded into silence, leaving me alone in a sea of solitude. Pulling me out of my trance, I felt a sharp blow to my back then started to cry. My sister walked away unfazed as if nothing had happened. She had just saved my life.