The pen is indeed powerful for Welty Middle School students competing at Regional Power of the Pen tournament
The ink was flowing freely from the pens of students participating at the Regional Power of the Pen creative writing tournament held at Clear Fork Middle School in Bellville, March 19. The 175 students, who represented 31 different middle schools, had advanced as the top 50 percent of writers at their District tournaments in February.
When the furious scribbling ceased, it was New Philadelphia’s Welty Middle School who came out with top honors. Scores from Welty’s combined seventh and eighth-grade team from the District and Regional tournament earned them the coveted Sweepstakes award and accompanying large trophy. As teams competing at the Regional level, the seventh-grade Power of the Pen team took first place among the 31 schools, while the eighth grade took a very impressive fourth place. No other area teams placed in the top five.
In individual competition, the seventh-grade team members shone brightly. Welty’s Kelaiah Kneuss, 12, won the trophy for being the first place writer from the 83 seventh graders competing. Sami Sayre, also from Welty, was awarded fifth place, and team member Katie Reese won the seventh place designation, and was also given special recognition for being a Best of the Best winner. Eighth-grader Maddy McDade also took home honors, ranking eighth among the 92 eighth graders present.
“The students did a fantastic job and, honestly, it was wonderful to see a few of the students who didn’t place at District, place at Regionals,” said Welty Middle School coach Diana Burky, who admitted that she was “overwhelmed” by the successes of her students. “They are all such strong writers. It was so difficult to choose the seventh-grade team this year, because of the exceptional talent,” she admitted.
Other seventh grade area students receiving recognition were Elizabeth Greenwood of Dover Middle School, who placed sixth, Sara Donato of Strasburg Middle School who placed 12th and also won a Best of Round designation, and Brenda Miller of Hiland, who won the 14th spot. Coaching the Dover team was Lindsay McIlvaine. Strasburg was coached by Erin Nemergut, and Hiland by LaVonne Gress. Indian Valley Middle School eighth-grader Kara Barger won a Best of Round category also, and was coached by Denise Cooley.
The top 20 percent of Regional competitors, which includes 19 seventh-graders and 23 eighth-graders, now advance to the state finals competition at the College of Wooster in May.
When the furious scribbling ceased, it was New Philadelphia’s Welty Middle School who came out with top honors. Scores from Welty’s combined seventh and eighth-grade team from the District and Regional tournament earned them the coveted Sweepstakes award and accompanying large trophy. As teams competing at the Regional level, the seventh-grade Power of the Pen team took first place among the 31 schools, while the eighth grade took a very impressive fourth place. No other area teams placed in the top five.
In individual competition, the seventh-grade team members shone brightly. Welty’s Kelaiah Kneuss, 12, won the trophy for being the first place writer from the 83 seventh graders competing. Sami Sayre, also from Welty, was awarded fifth place, and team member Katie Reese won the seventh place designation, and was also given special recognition for being a Best of the Best winner. Eighth-grader Maddy McDade also took home honors, ranking eighth among the 92 eighth graders present.
“The students did a fantastic job and, honestly, it was wonderful to see a few of the students who didn’t place at District, place at Regionals,” said Welty Middle School coach Diana Burky, who admitted that she was “overwhelmed” by the successes of her students. “They are all such strong writers. It was so difficult to choose the seventh-grade team this year, because of the exceptional talent,” she admitted.
Other seventh grade area students receiving recognition were Elizabeth Greenwood of Dover Middle School, who placed sixth, Sara Donato of Strasburg Middle School who placed 12th and also won a Best of Round designation, and Brenda Miller of Hiland, who won the 14th spot. Coaching the Dover team was Lindsay McIlvaine. Strasburg was coached by Erin Nemergut, and Hiland by LaVonne Gress. Indian Valley Middle School eighth-grader Kara Barger won a Best of Round category also, and was coached by Denise Cooley.
The top 20 percent of Regional competitors, which includes 19 seventh-graders and 23 eighth-graders, now advance to the state finals competition at the College of Wooster in May.
Published: March 23, 2011
