Sydney Weaver of Acton, Ont., was the overall winner of the U.S. Trotting Association's 2012 Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest.

In the 12-and-under category, Weaver's story “My Wonderful Life” received the highest overall score. Mary Keim of Apple Creek, Ohio was second with “Lucky Dude” and Maya Knepp of Berlin, Md. finished in third place with her submission “Thanking Alma Sheppard.”

As the overall winner, Weaver will also have her story published in the December issue of Youth Beats magazine.

Weaver was the winning entrant in the 2011 O'Brien Awards VIP Package for her entry on why she loves Canadian harness racing and in June helped organize a fundraising night at the races to help send disabled kids to summer camp.

In the 13-and-above category Tiffany Haines of Mendota, Ill. won first prize for her story “The Big Race.” In second place was Alissa Hof of Salt Point, N.Y., with a submission titled “My Favorite Teacher” and in third place, with “A Horse of My Own,” was Emily Budach of Janesville, Minn.