Seventh- and eighth-grade writers from nine Catholic elementary schools participated in the first step of the Power of the Pen competition at Ottawa Hills High School, hoping to advance to the regional level and then on to state competition.

Several students came away with trophies for their work and the promise of more writing challenges at the next competition, to be held at Lourdes University March 8.

Alyssa Bailey, an eighth-grader at Toledo St. Benedict School, is one of many students who participated in the Power of the Pen writing competition. (Chronicle photo by Christine A. Holliday)

Power of the Pen competitors enjoy writing and make a point to do it often. At Toledo Christ the King, they meet for after-school “Writing Wednesdays,” where they practice using vivid verbs and strong descriptive words.

“More and more students are getting excited about writing,” says Beth Patrilla, writing coach at Toledo St. Pius X. “We have more kids involved every year, and the work they produce gets better every year. We had plenty of state qualifiers in the eight years we’ve been involved.”

Cindy Roberts, the Power of the Pen coach and sixth-grade teacher at Christ the King, explains how the competition works.

“The students are given prompts, some for a narrative, some for open-ended writing, and 40 minutes to write,” she says. “They have three different writing prompts during the day. Their work is judged by teachers and coaches who are looking for well-developed paragraphs, figurative and descriptive language and clear theme and purpose.”

The judges are also looking for creativity, something the writers love to provide.

Michaela Dray, Christ the King seventh-grader, says she enjoys letting her creative side go crazy, and Hope Poolos finds the competition a “good way to express my personality and show my creativity.”

Toledo St. Benedict eighth-grader Alyssa Bailey says it “feels good” to express herself, and adds, “My favorite is finishing my writing and knowing I have just a few minutes to think of the perfect title. The title comes to me, I write it, I am satisfied, then I put my pen down. My work is done!”

St. Benedict principal Carol Huss agrees, saying, “I think it is a wonderful way for kids to use their talents in a creative way.”

Many of the judges are teachers, like Margie Sankowski from Toledo St. Catherine School. She and others appreciate the opportunity for kids to excel in their own special niche.

“Power of the Pen is a wonderful program for kids looking for something to be proud of,” she says. “If they aren’t great athletes, for example, they can still shine by what they write.”

Medallions and trophies are awarded to those who score highest, and all participants are recognized at the final assembly at which the top winners are announced.

This year’s district competition included participants from Christ the King, St. Pius X, Sylvania St. Joseph, Toledo Gesu, Assumption Holy Trinity, St. Benedict, Perrysburg St. Rose, Toledo St. Catherine, and Toledo Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Eighth-grade place winners included:
- Ellen Buerk, first place, St. Joseph
- Quinn Arbaugh, fourth place, Gesu
- Mary Schoen, seventh place, St. Rose
- Eileen DiPofi, 16th place, St. Joseph
- Mary Bishop, 17th place, St. Benedict
- Andrew Peatee, 18th place, St. Joseph

Ellen Buerk also received a plaque for the best entry in the third round of the eighth-grade competition. The prompt was to write about something that is overrated. Her “something,” and the topic of her essay was, “The First Kiss.”