Derry Area sophomore Timothy Miller, 15, is one of 13 students to win the New York Times‘ 100-word personal narrative contest with his entry, “Baby Tim.”

Miller entered the contest to complete a narrative writing assignment in his Advanced English II class. His teacher, Mark Curcio, enters his students in at least one writing competition each school year.

“One of my professional goals as an ELA teacher is to have my students write for a publication,” Curcio said. “I want them to write for someone other than myself or for a grade.”

The class had been studying memoirs during the application period. Curcio thought that the contest went along perfectly with the lesson plan. Students had to write about a true, meaningful event in 100 words, also known as a small memoir.

“It just happened to be the perfect storm,” Curcio said.

Miller said his mind was blown when he learned he was a winner.

“I was on a bus for a field trip, and Mr. Curcio emailed me and congratulated me,” Miller said. “I wasn’t even sure what he meant at first. I couldn’t believe that a school assignment won a nationwide competition.”

Miller’s entry will be published in the print version of the newspaper.

A member of his high school’s Future Farmers of America club, marching band, track and field team, soccer team, swim team and multiple school musical groups, Miller said that he chose the memory because it was different from the examples provided in his class’ lesson plan.

“We read examples in class, and all of them were sad,” Miller said. “I wanted to do a funny one to change it up a little.”

Despite his early success in writing, Miller hopes to pursue a career in animal biology. He keeps a host of exotic pets including frogs, fish and lizards.

Miller entered his narrative about a funny memory from his childhood into a pool of 12,448 total entries.

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