May Murphy Thibaudeau Writing Awards

The May Murphy Thibaudeau Writing Awards give students the opportunity to express themselves through original poetry and short stories. First held in 2001, this annual writing contest celebrates the legacy of local writer May Murphy Thibaudeau while encouraging students to search their own minds and hearts for sentiments to share through their writing.

May Murphy Thibaudeau lived an admirable, incredibly full life for ninety-six years. Her enthusiasm for life was obvious as she encouraged students to make writing a pattern in their lives. She explained her purpose for writing: “Experiences never expressed in poem, story or the like become vague and end in oblivion.”

Thibaudeau overcame great adversity to become a successful author. She was raised by her grandparents after her mother died before her second birthday. She stayed with her aunt, who worked as a housekeeper for Milwaukee businessman Frederick Layton. There, she found the motivation to obtain an education and explore the world. After attending Milwaukee State Teachers College, now UW-Milwaukee, she taught in one-room schools. After her marriage to Ray Thibaudeau, she came to South Milwaukee. In her book, A Little Something of My Days, she shared her feelings about her life with her husband and children.

As an accomplished writer, she was honored at state and local levels. Into her 90s, she inspired fellow members of Writer’s Ink in Cudahy. Her books, available at local libraries, capture memories of the past. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “With simple words and insightful prose, May Murphy Thibaudeau saved the stories of many lives, including her own, from oblivion.”

May Murphy Thibaudeau’s spirit is with her family as they gather each year with writers and their parents for the annual May Murphy Thibaudeau Writing Awards luncheon and ceremony. Her daughter, the late Clairese Huennekens, and son-in-law Gregg (DB ’65), generously sponsor this writing contest in her honor and provide our delightful awards luncheon.

Congratulations to Our Past Winners!

List of 10 items.

2022

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1^st – Citlaly Trujillo Cruz, 2^nd – Citlaly Trujillo Cruz, 3^rd – W. Melchizedek Jimenez
Sophomore: 1^st – Aubrey Koch, 2^nd – Cooper Rathmann, 3^rd – Jacob Rezutek
Junior: 1^st – Xitlali Piceno, 2^nd – Xitlali Piceno, 3^rd – Marisa Dzekute, 3^rd – Madeline Raflik
Senior: 1^st – Olivia Knights, 2^nd – Vida Castro, 3^rd – Jonalie Zamora

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1^st – John Hennessy
Sophomore: 1^st – Hiro Kamikawa, 2^nd – Diana Reyes
Junior: 1^st – Carisa Marchena, 2^nd – Jacob Brooks, 2^nd – Antonio Del Valle, 3^rd – Drew Jeske
Senior: 1^st – Jonalie Zamora, 2^nd – Ariana Halverson, 3^rd – Jonalie Zamora
2021

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st – Aubrey Koch, 2nd – Emelia Rucka, 3rd – Alexa Nguyen
Sophomore: 1st – Xitlali Piceno, 2nd – Harley Jusino, 3rd – River Cram
Junior: 1st – Jonalie Zamora, 2nd – Olivia Knights, 3rd – Mercedes Maier
Senior: 1st – Bianey Calixto-Dominguez, 2nd – Alexus Lanphear, 3rd – Elizabeth Wolf-Nowakowski

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st – Emily Pheifer, 2nd – Diana Reyes, 3rd – Hiroshi Kamikawa
Sophomore: 1st – Marisa Dzekute, 2nd – Madeline Raflik, 3rd – Drew Jeske
Junior: 1st – Jonalie Zamora, 2nd – Ariana Halverson, 3rd – Rose Kowalski
Senior: 1st – Hayley Johnson, 2nd – Jack Serketich, 3rd – Anna Kujawa

Click here to read the winning stories.
2020

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1^st – Marisa Dzekute
Sophomore: 1^st – Olivia Knights, 2^nd – Jonalie Zamora, 3^rd – Mercedes Maier
Junior: 1^st – Anna Kujawa, 2^nd – Bella Rogan, 3^rd – Alexus Lanphear
Senior: 1^st – Kya Gordon, 2^nd – Isabel Jimenez, 3^rd – Isabel Scerpella

Short Stories
Freshmen: 1^st – Madeline Raflik, 2^nd – Gabe Graetz
Sophomore: 1^st – Ariana Halverson, 2^nd – Rose Kowalski, 3^rd – Jonalie Zamora
Junior: 1^st – Karla Elizabeth Hernandez, 2^nd – Anna Kujawa, 3^rd – Bella Rogan
2019

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1^st – Mercedes Maier, 2^nd – Allen Ortega, 3^rd – Caileigh Tatalovich
Sophomore: 1^st – Anna Kujawa, 2^nd – Alexus Lanphear, 3^rd – Karla Elizabeth Hernandez
Junior: 1^st– Mikala Kallay, 2^nd – Isabel Scerpella, 3^rd – Sophia Smith
Senior: 1^st – Antonio Trinidad, 2^nd – Jazmin Rodriguez, 3^rd – Rebekah Arndt

Short Story:
Freshman: 1^st – Ariana Halverson, 2^nd – Mercedes Maier, 3^rd – Ariana Halverson
Sophomore: 1^st – Bella Rogan, 2^nd – Haley Johnson, 3^rd – Eleanor Tezak Unti
Junior: 1^st – Isabel Scerpella, 2^nd – Tony Czajka, 3^rd – John Wroblewski
Senior: 1^st – Rebekah Arndt, 2^nd – Coryn King, 3^rd – Maura Cummings
2018

Freshmen: Alexus Lanphear, Bianey Calixto-Dominguez, Eleanor Tezak Unti, Hayley Johnson, Hannah Pitre
Sophomores: Isabel Scerpella, Sophia Smith, Isabel Jimenez, Mikala Kallay, Abby Bolanowski, Allison Steadman
Juniors: Antonio Trinidad, Yazmin Rodriguez, Samantha Lee, Lennox Doughty, Grace Raflik, Thomas Evans
Seniors: Marinelys Pachuca, Jacqueline Rodriguez-Curiel, Abigail Kaczynski, Robert Larson, Kiara Xolo
2017

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st — Ella Westrich, 2nd — Isabel Scerpella, 3rd — Isabel Jimenez
Sophomores: 1st — Antonio Trinidad, 2nd — Kassandra Navarro Padilla, 3rd — Yazmin Rodriguez
Juniors: 1st — Marinelys Pachuca, 2nd — Jacqueline Rodriguez-Curiel, 3rd — Natalia Corona
Seniors: 1st — Fatima Sepulveda, 2nd — Jessica Flynn, 3rd — Anna Kotecki

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st — Isabel Scerpella. 2nd — Isabel Jimenez, 3rd — by Isabel Jimenez
Sophomores: 1st — Lennox Doughty, 2nd — Ivan Rojo, 3rd — Emily Martin
Juniors: 1st — Robert Larson, 2nd — Valeria Salinas, 3rd — Kiara Xolo
Seniors: 1st — Jessica Flynn, 2nd — Lauren King, 3rd — Helen Maier
2016

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st — Estefanny Cruz, 2nd — Melissa Sanchez
Sophomores: 1st — Abigail Kaczynski, 2nd — Jacqueline Rodriguez-Curiel
Juniors: 1st — Jessica Flynn, 2nd — Helen Maier
Seniors: 1st — Sarah Rybacki, 2nd — Sarah Rybacki

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st — Ivan Rojo, 2nd — Ivan Rojo
Sophomores: 1st — Valeria Salinas, 2nd — Marinelys Pachuca
Juniors: 1st — Lauren King, 2nd — Jen Morzfeld
Seniors: 1st — Lindsey Karras, 2nd — Lindsey Karras
2015

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st — Abby Kaczynski, 2nd — Gabrielle Kennedy
Sophomores: 1st — Galilea Sanchez, 2nd — Francesca Hamilton
Juniors: 1st — Lydia Raflik, 2nd — Sarah Rybacki, HM — Lindsey Karras
Seniors: 1st — Sara Magno, 2nd — Sara Magno, HM — Raven Jaso

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st — Elizabeth Slowik, 2nd — Kataryna Kodaski
Sophomores: 1st — Helen Maier, 2nd — Lauren King
Juniors: 1st — Lindsey Karras, 2nd — Lindsey Karras
Seniors: 1st — Erynn Lewis, 2nd — Raven Jaso
2014

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st — Francesca Hamilton, 2nd — Helen Maier, 2nd — Austin Markiewicz
Sophomores: 1st — Lindsey Karras, 2nd — Sarah Rybacki
Juniors: 1st — Erynn Lewis, 2nd — Connor O’Neill
Seniors: 1st — Nick Cheaney, 2nd — Ashley Johnson, 2nd — Douglas Wicker

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st — Izzy Boudnik, 2nd — Lauren King, 2nd — Mary Vo
Sophomores: 1st — Edwin Cubias, 2nd — Sarah Rybacki
Juniors: 1st — Angel Fajardo
Seniors: 1st — Mike Cristoforo, 2nd — Adam Zydzik, HM — Da Yeom Eom
2013

Poetry:
Freshmen: 1st — Reanna Wicker, 2nd — Sarah Rybacki, 2nd — Devon Swayne
Sophomores: 1st — Nancy Bahena, 2nd — Jazmine Alicea
Juniors: 1st — Michael Cristoforo, 2nd — Ashley Johnson
Seniors: 1st — Azucena Guizar, 2nd — Diana Nunez, HM — Kathryn Jablonowski

Short Stories:
Freshmen: 1st — Isabel Miranda, 2nd — Lindsay Post
Sophomores: 1st — Felix Acevedo, 2nd — Erynn Lewis
Juniors: 1st — Ashley Johnson, 2nd — Adam Zydzik, 2nd — Michael Cristoforo
Seniors: 1st — Emily Halas

2601 East Morgan Avenue | Milwaukee, WI 53207 | (414) 481-8370

St. Thomas More is a Catholic, coeducational high school that inspires students to embrace the values of our Patron Saint by becoming men and women for all seasons. Rooted in Christ and the Catholic tradition, the school community embodies the principles of Christian discipleship, service to others, and academic excellence.