In 2022-23 Nicholls State University launched its High School Writing Contest.
For the inaugural contest, Nicholls solicited essays, poetry, and fiction related to folklore and the supernatural in any and all genres. High school students from across Louisiana submitted creative retelling or original study of folklore. The High School Writing contest features both 
a monetary reward and a formal award, given at the Humanities Symposium @ Scholars Expeaux at Nicholls State.
The first place award is named in honor of Mabel Bollinger Toups who taught high school English in Lockport, LA and had a special fondness for Louisiana Folklore and the Folklore of the Bayou Region.
2023 Winners
- First Place–The Mabel Bollinger Toups Award, Julia Lion: “The Storm of the Night.” Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA
- Second Place, Savannah West: “Miss Marie.” Beekman Charter School, Bastrop, LA
- Third Place, Maleik Lewis: “The Shade of the Willow.” Thibodaux High School, Thibodaux, LA
- Honorable Mention, Jessica Chu “Everyday Ghosts.” Caddo Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA
- Honorable Mention, Kaylah Derry “Beware the Rougarou.” Bossier Parish, LA
- Honorable Mention, Kayden Martin “The Legend of Germain.”. South Lafourche High School, Lafourche Parish, LA
