Tale of Friendship Earns Levy Award

When your academic strengths are English literature and mathematics, how do you combine your talent and passion? 

For Deerfield’s Jerrold Levy it was quest to satisfy his joy of writing with his desire to provide a solid livelihood for his family.

Levy, a pension actuary by profession, won the $200 first prize in the 16^th annual Rosemary Sazonoff creative writing contest sponsored by the Friends of the recently for his short story, “Who Cares?.” It was the second time he won the contest.

“My strengths in school were English literature and math,” Levy said. “I wasn’t sure what I could do with English literature so I went with the math,” he added explaining his career choice.

Never giving up his love of writing as well as his passion for numbers, Levy continues to like both. Not only does he write creatively, he has authored a number of articles for professional journals.

“I really enjoy it,” Levy said of the writing, particularly the creative end. “When I get the opportunity to do it I really get into it. It’s really made me feel good even since I was a kid.”

Levy was also thrilled when he learned he earned the prize. “It felt great,” he said. “It’s nice to be recognized.”

There was a tie for second place between Ed Collins for “A Friend in Need” and Marla Davishoff for “Beyond the Waiting Room Part II” with each getting a $100 award. Third place honors and $50 went to Michael Carniello for “1968.”

Short stories, poems and essays expressing the value of friendship offered the theme of this year’s contest. Levy’s entry written in second person described an evening and special communication between two friends not knowing it would be their last together.