There are lots of great student writers at AoPS, including me. For many of us, the short story contest was one of the best and very few places we could actually do something that meant something to us with our writing skill. 

When AoPS announced that it was cutting the short story contest to help shift its focus to math, I was really surprised. This contest was an important part of the AoPS writers community that inspired countless young writers like myself to not only improve but to enjoy writing more. It was a wonderful experience and I waited anxiously every year for that time's prompt to be released.

Think about it: where else can a student writer find a trusted place to submit their work and practice really writing, and see how well they can showcase their skill? It has encouraged me myself to develop writing to more than a hobby, along with so many other students. Signing this will ensure thousands of students across the nation who attend AoPS don't have to be math-minded to find an awesome community and a way to develop their passions.