Power of the Pen contest goes virtual for 2022
Participants in the Power of the Pen Eastern Region district tournament will compete virtually in 2022.
The annual event, which generally attracts about 200 students from 19 regional schools to University of Mount Union, will take place Jan. 22. Host for the district competition is Mount Union.
Top students will move on to a virtual regional tournament event Feb. 26, hosted by Lake Elementary School in Hartville.
The Alliance Review and Kiwanis of Alliance are sponsors of this year’s Eastern Region district tournament.
Power of the Pen is one of Ohio’s largest educational enhancement programs. The program works to positively impact academic achievement of the state’s middle-schoolers by helping young people find and develop a creative voice uniquely their own.
“Writing helps students become better prepared for any future endeavor,” said Power of the Pen Executive Director Barb Tschantz. “It doesn’t have to be a career that’s creative by nature. Though we concentrate on creative writing, students learn communications and leadership skills that can apply to everything from professional services to tech.”
Each year, qualifying writers from 16 district tournaments (usually the top 50%) advance to the eight regional events. At least 20% of students participating in the regional tournament move on to the state tournament. Competitions consist of three timed, extemporaneous rounds of creative writing tasks per grade level, each in response to an open-ended prompt. Judges evaluate the students’ work to identify the winners who will be recognized in an awards ceremony.
By the time the tournaments begin, these young authors have spent months polishing their creative writing skills under the guidance of a Power of the Pen coach, and the competition is their chance to shine.
The Eastern Region of Power of the Pen attracts students from Stark, Mahoning, Columbiana, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingham, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas and Washington counties.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Power of the Pen contest goes virtual for 2022
