Power of the Pen Creative Writing Tournaments
Project led by Power of the Pen
About the project.
Nearly 3,000 7th and 8th grade students throughout Ohio participate in Power of the Pen district, regional, and state creative writing tournaments each academic year. 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.
For the 2022-2023 school year, Power of the Pen plans to introduce a new Southeast region serving 21 Southeastern Ohio counties. District tournaments will be held at Claymont Middle School in Tuscarawas County and Licking Heights Middle School in Licking County. Qualifying students from the district tournaments will compete at the regional level the Ohio University Zanesville campus. Top students from regional move on to the state tournament.
Schools that participate in tournaments form Power of the Pen teams that meet throughout the school year. Writers engage in weekly timed writing activities, share writing with peers and coaches, provide feedback, and practice narrative development. Power of the Pen students are, as a result, prepared not only to write at tournaments, but also to face the rigors of high school writing assignments and timed college admissions tests. Power of the Pen alumni credit the program with building their confidence and leadership skills, benefiting them in a wide range of careers.
Your gift to this project will make Power of the Pen creative writing tournaments more accessible to hundreds of students from Appalachian Ohio by bringing Power of the Pen tournaments closer to their schools.
Donations raised through Cause Connector will fund student awards, tournament staffing, supplies, and specialized carbonless paper that allows students to receive one-on-one feedback for their writing.
If enough funds are not raised to open the new region, your donation will fund tournaments nearest to Southeast Ohio.
FAO staff comments.
This project supports programming to elevate and encourage young writers in Appalachian Ohio. This program provides hands on experience and feedback, helping participants gain tools to excel in high school and beyond, while fostering their unique creativity.