Birchwood POP Writers Bring Success to Next Level at Regional
Birchwood School of Hawken continued building on its earlier tourney success with a strong showing at the Northern Region Power of the Pen interscholastic creative writing competition at Baldwin Wallace University, in Berea, on Saturday, March 9.
Birchwood landed second in the Sweepstakes competition, thanks to a first-place finish by its eighth-grade scribes, their second in as many years. The Sweepstakes honors schools amassing the highest total points between its 7th and 8th grade teams, combining scores at both the district and regional levels.
Four of Birchwood’s writers earned individual placements at regionals, each repeating their district success, only this time rising to the top of tougher competition from roughly 200 writers representing 34 area schools.
Each Birchwood team was made up of six members with one or two alternates designated for each team.
- Birchwood School of Hawken individual 8th grade winners: Maliha N., 5th place; Reeve V., 12th place.
- Birchwood School of Hawken individual 7th grade winners: Chrysanthi C., 2nd place; Sofia S., 3rd place.
Individual winners have qualified for the two-day state competition, to be held this year at Ashland University on May 17. Roughly 25 percent of writers from the regional level go on to state; more Birchwood writers may still advance to the state final. Those names will be announced within the next two weeks.
Power of the Pen offers three levels of tournaments: district, regional, and state. The season begins with district tournaments in January and February. Qualifying students move up to regional competitions in February and March.
The state tournament puts the best 7th and 8th grade student writers from throughout Ohio to the test. Every state tournament also features a guest author – an award-winning professional author of middle grade or young adult books – who motivates and encourages students on their writing journey.
