Delighted to announce that while I did not receive enough votes to catch up to first place, the coordinator of the contest reached out to me personally to inform me that they really enjoyed my story and thought it deserved a special award. They are offering me $300 and a variety of opportunities to work and/or write with them in the future.
Overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support I received from friends, family, and strangers to help me with this goal.