Thank you to the more than 230 UI alumni and friends from around the world who submitted short stories during April's contest.

We asked participants to create a story of 1,000 words or less using one of two sets of prompts: a story incorporating a bus driver and a flower, or a story incorporating a police officer and a kite.

Our judges have been working diligently these past few weeks to read submissions that poured in from 26 states and as far away as India and Spain.

Without further ado, here are our winning stories. The winners will receive a Hawkeye prize pack.

Elementary: grades 3–6 (tie)

• Seamus M., Iowa, "The Bus Bunker"
• Keira S., Iowa, "Chrysanthemum"

Junior High: grades 7 & 8

• Vera T., Iowa, "Memories"

High School: grades 9–12

• Maneesh J., Iowa, "A Desert Lily"

Adult

• Stuart Hoover (84BA, 87JD), "Go Fly a Kite"

Winning Story

• Lorie Leo, "Ethereal"

The Finalists

(listed alphabetically by last name)

• Alice Duncanson (02BA), "The Worst"
• Kristen Formanek (06BA), "Greenfish Forever"
• Christian Haunton (06MA, 17PhD), "SF458.G6 K54 1935"
• Anne Jackson (99BA), "Good Grief"
• Jane Jemmi (19BA), "Fishing for a Date"
• Tim Johnson, "Streets Bill"
• Maureen Lewis, "The Yearbook Editor Magic"
• Daniel Waters, "Hard to Swallow"
• Sarah Wheelock, "Kunsi's Feather"

Thanks to all who participated, and be on the lookout for the contest again next year. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading these amazing tales from your fellow Hawkeyes as much as we did! You can also read stories from our past winners.