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Lakewood Students Show Off Writing Skills at District Power of the Pen Competition

Harding and Garfield middle school students show no sighs of slowing as regionals approach.

The pen is a remarkable tool, especially when it’s wielded by remarkable young people.

Recently, the Power of the Pen competition showcased the best and brightest middle school writers in the district and Lakewood’s performance was, to say the least, impressive.

This statewide competition, which was held at North Royalton middle school, is divided into three timed rounds where students are given prompts to write stories, PR specialist Christine Gordillo said. Some of this year’s prompts included “describe your worst fear,” “remember when you were too young to…” and “some place I’d rather be.”

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Out of 266 seventh and eighth grade writers, five students from and middle schools earned individual medals by making the top 15. Harding seventh and eighth graders Jimmy Toner and Renee Klann, respectively, were awarded “Best of” honors in two of the rounds.

“I attribute some of the success of the Lakewood students to the talent and aptitude these students have for creative writing. They have wonderful imaginations, powerful insights, delightful senses of humor, and are not given the opportunity often enough to express their ideas,” Harding ELA teacher Ruth Pangrace said.

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“These students have a passion for words…and demonstrate remarkable ability to use rich vocabulary and figurative language."

Overall, 75 percent of the Lakewood students who entered made it to the regional competition, which will be held in early April at Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland.

11th place: Erin Turner (8th, Harding)

12th place: Jonathan Poilpre (8th, Garfield)

13th place: Sara Shyte (8th, Garfield)

14th place: Kathryn Urban (8th, Harding)

15th place: Sarah Smith (8th, Harding)

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