March 18, 2025 -- Both Monticello and Roxboro Middle School students have power in their pens. The two schools hosted successful Power of the Pen writing tournaments in January and February, with both sending multiple students on to the next round of competition.
Monticello’s tournament was on January 11th, when they hosted 18 schools and nearly 150 7th and 8th writers who competed in three rounds of timed writing where students respond to a given prompt before being evaluated by a panel of judges.
Advisor Jeannise Andres worked with countless school staff and volunteers to run a smooth event that included both a light breakfast and lunch for coaches and volunteers and giant board games and basketball for students to enjoy during their downtime. “We received so much positive feedback,” she said, including from Principal Curtis Walker who said it was “one of my favorite events of the school year.”
Her students, donning matching t-shirts emblazoned with their chosen Langston Hughes quote “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly,” performed well. Camryn Williams placed 12th out of 81 8th grade writers and will advance to the Regional Tournament in mid-March. Three 7th graders also qualified: Erin Muse, Charlotte Walker and Samson Hatgas.
Ms. Andres is grateful to all of the community support for her event, including from AVI who fed the volunteers, coaches Candace Summers and Stephanie Norman, volunteers Ronald Holland, Nancy McDonald, LeeAnn Chambers, Emily Green, Kelton Larson and Eric Adeyemon, and especially the guidance she received from former Power of the Pen advisor Deborah Frost.
Meanwhile, Rox Mid hosted their own District Tournament on February 1 with similar success. (The two schools are placed into different “districts” and will not face one another in competition until the State Championship.) Fourteen schools and 126 writers visited the Heights on a cold and windy Saturday to put their creative writing abilities to the test.
“The writers were all so enthusiastic and excited,” said coach Suzanne Nelson. “The energy was positive and hopeful.” Four of the five writers on her 8th grade team (Gloria Chasney, Juno Patterson, Ace Reilly, Mila Seitz and Aiyana Smith) advanced to the Regional Tournament, with Gloria placed 4th overall and Ace placing 5th. Ace also earned a “Best of Round” recognition.
Like Monticello, Rox could not have pulled off this daylong event with the help of the building staff, including Principal Rebekah Sharpe, and the community. Ms. Nelson is especially thankful to sponsors Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency and The Center for Community Solutions. “Roxboro and the district were so supportive which really helped me organize this tournament,” said Ms. Nelson. “The event was truly amazing!”
Her students competed in the Regional Tournament on March 8 and placed 4th out of 36 teams. They are still waiting to hear who will advance to the State Championship.