Muskingum University promotes literacy initiatives

Special to the Zanesville Times Recorder
·1 min read

NEW CONCORD − Muskingum University has recently partnered with the Straker Foundation to help promote literacy initiatives in the greater community.

Muskingum University students recently served as judges for a writing contest. They include, front row, Kody Melvin, Audra Wills, Amaris Carpenter, Straker Foundation Program Director Pam Kirst, back row, Haley Frazier, Peyton Joy, Courtney Rose and Laura Reed of Muskingum University.
Muskingum University students recently served as judges for a writing contest. They include, front row, Kody Melvin, Audra Wills, Amaris Carpenter, Straker Foundation Program Director Pam Kirst, back row, Haley Frazier, Peyton Joy, Courtney Rose and Laura Reed of Muskingum University.

Students majoring in adolescent to young adults language arts, adolescent to young adults art education and middle childhood education were selected to serve as judges for the Mary Helen Straker Award in Writing competition.

Participating students were Amaris Carpenter of Independence, Kentucky, Haley Frazier of Heath, Courtney Rose of Dover, Audra Wills of Somerset and Peyton Joy and Kody Melvin of Zanesville.

In its second year, this writing competition has been expanded to include sophomore and junior high-school students across all instructional tiers, including Tier II and Tier III. Students compete by responding to the prompt, Thinking About Home, after reading, "A Princess Found: An American Family, an African Chiefdom and the Daughter Who Connected Them All" by Sarah Culberson.

“We are excited to support the Straker Foundation’s work in promoting literacy efforts at all levels of learning,” said Dr. Laura Reed, assistant professor of education. “Serving the community in this way gives our preservice teachers authentic experience practicing their craft as well as opportunities to encourage aspiring student writers. Our students welcomed volunteering to promote classroom engagement with this powerful text and grow professionally in their training.”

Named for one of the foundation’s founders, Mary Helen Straker was a journalist, novelist and essayist. Her daughter, Susan Holdren, currently serves as president and executive director of the foundation. Last year, more than 140 entries were received for the chance to win three $500 cash prizes per district and one $2,000 grand prize. Contest winners and Muskingum education students will meet and engage with the author in person during the awards ceremony scheduled for later this month.

Provided by Muskingum University.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Muskingum U promotes literacy initiatives