A Fresno Pacific University student is among the winners in the William Saroyan Story Writing Contest.
Elizabeth Renee Goularte received second place in the competition's college division. Goularte, from Riverside, California, is a senior majoring in psychology. She won a $75 U.S. Savings Bond for her story on unexpected relationships.
Judges reviewed 259 entries in six age groups, ranging from first grade through college. The theme was "Experiences From My Life."
Now in its 19th year, the contest is part of the annual William Saroyan Festival, which honors the author, who spent his life in Fresno and used the city and the surrounding Central Valley in many of his works. Hank Saroyan, Emmy-winning writer and director and nephew of William Saroyan, presented the awards May 23 at the downtown Fresno County Public Library. The contest is sponsored by the William Saroyan Society in association with The William Saroyan Foundation, Fresno County Office of Education, Fresno County Public Library and Fresno Free College Foundation.