PJH Power of the Pen sends Five to State Competition

The PJHS Power of the Pen team has had a very successful 2014-2015 season! Seventh graders: Megan Adams, Anna Cufr, Elizabeth Hannah, Chase Mackiewicz, Aidan Matuga, Riley Pierce, Delaney Rimer and Abby Seiple and Eighth graders: Clara Barned, Nathan Bourgeois, Zoe Brown, Erin Furlong, Lena Koskinen, Leah Roberts, Abby Sherwood, Paige Stine and Emily Swick all competed in January at the Timberstone District Tournament. After competing in three writing rounds where students were given a prompt and then composed complete short stories in forty minutes, many PJHS students were recognized for excellence. Aidan Matuga was awarded 3rd place, Clara Barned took 13th place and Leah Roberts earned 15th place overall. Lena Koskinen received the coveted “Best of Round” award, and both Erin Furlong and Chase Mackiewicz were recognized for best stories written in the alternate rounds. The 8th grade team, coached by Kelly Simenson, won 3rd place in the team competition, earning a trophy.

The top-scoring 50% of participants moved on to the Regional Competition, which took place at Lourdes College in March. Participating students were: Anna Cufr, Aidan Matuga, Abby Seiple, Clara Barned, Lena Koskinen, Leah Roberts and Paige Stine. The 8th grade team earned 5th overall at the regional competition. Writers earning qualifying scores at this level advance to the state competition to take place at Wooster College on May 21-22, 2015. These writers are in the top 10% in the state. Participating in the state competition are Anna Cufr, Abby Seiple, Clara Barned, Lena Koskinen and Leah Roberts. Coach Maura Meyers and Kelly Simenson will be attending the state competition alongside students to serve as judges. It is a real honor to take five students to the state competition, and both coaches look forward to the team's success competing at this level!