Three Malvern seventh- and eight-graders wrote their way to qualifying for the regional Power of the Pen competition to be held at Kent State University Stark Campus on Saturday, March 6.
The Malvern students joined 208 middle-schoolers from 21 districts writing essays at the Power of the Pen District Tournament at Mount Union College, held Jan. 16. The event was postponed a week due to bad weather and moved from Friday to Saturday.
Qualifying for the regional competition are seventh-grader Emily Kaufman and eighth-graders Gina Rosta and Emily Wolfe.
The seventh-grade team included Haley Wadsworth, Malcolm Simmons and Travis Christner, Emily Kaufman, Kori Hulit and Joe Newell.
The eighth-grade team is represented by Ellie Schering, Kyle Moeglin, Gina Rosta, Nadiea Hudson, Shy Arkenburgh, Kayla Shepard, Kailena Keith and Emily Wolfe. The team advisor is Diane Gross.
The event challenged seventh- and eighth-grade students to write essays based on a variety of prompts. Essays were judged by Gwen Gray Schwartz, director of the "Writing Across the Curriculum" program and assistant professor of English at Mount Union; Karen Mundy, editor of The Press-News; Nancy Varian, director of the Center for Professional Development, School of Education, Malone College; Tabby Jordan, retired teacher; and Kathy Wolf, retired teacher.
Seventh graders were asked to write on the following prompts: "Pretend you're an angel who has been given the power to help anybody on earth. Do that in your story," "The Clown," and "What to name the new family pet." Eighth-graders wrote about new rules for the new year and a text conversation and were asked to describe something that is still there.
Eighth-grader Emily Wolfe earned 16th place overall and earned a one with the following essay on "Texting has been described as an exchange of trivial thoughts using a cell phone. Give an example of a conversation that fits this description."
Here is Wolfe's response:
TEXTING
Ellen and Maggie were texting each other around midnight one night.
Maggie texts, "I've got a problem."
Ellen replys back, "About what."
Maggie texts back, "I think I should break up with John. We never talk anymore."
Ellen ponders for a moment. "Have you tried asking him why?"
Maggie texts back, "Well not exactly, but I've tried talking to him. But he doesn't respond well."
Ellen says, "Well ask him, maybe he's afraid that your going to break up with him."
Maggie: "Maybe your right."
Ellen: "Yes, I am. HaHa."
Maggie smiles: "HaHa."
Maggie trys to change the subject: "How about that math test yesterday, talk about hard."
Ellen replys quickly: Ya! Totally hard, I hate math."
Maggie shakes her head as if to say I totally agree: "LOL."
Ellen texts back saying, "Oh and do you know what we're having for lunch tomorrow?"
Maggie: "Umm... not sure, but its probably not edible. LOL."
Ellen: "HaHa!"
Maggie: "But that pie yesterday was amazing!"
Ellen: "Ya it was the best thing we had all year!"
Maggie: "HaHa."
Maggie looks at her window and sees all the stars in the sky and looks at the moon.
Ellen: "Did you fall asleep, hello? Are you there?"
Maggie: "Ya I'm still here, I just got distracted."
Ellen rolls her eyes and texts: "That sounds like you."
Maggie takes it the wrong way.
Maggie: "Well your one to talk."
Ellen: "Hey, what did I do?"
Maggie: "You always make fun of me."
Ellen: "What? What's your problem?"
Maggie: "You know what, no I'm not talking to you anymore."
Ellen: "Whatever loser..."
Ellen starts to tear up after just losing her best friend. Maggie does the same.
Maggie: "Hello?"
Ellen: "What? I thought you hated me."
Maggie: "I'm sorry I text that the wrong way."
Ellen: "It's OK. I'm sorry I called you a loser."
Maggie: "It's OK. Well, I'm getting tired."
Ellen: "Ya me to, bye!"
Maggie: "Bye."
Maggie: "Oh .. and I'll ask John that question tomorrow. Bye."
Ellen smiled and replied, "Bye."