Covenant High School Students Sweep Writing Contest

The regional writing contest, Our Own Words, sponsored by the Pierce County Arts Commission, the Pierce County Library Foundation, and The Morning News Tribune was an overwhelming success for my writing students. "The Devil hates goose quills," wrote Martin Luther. I am so delighted that these students, and many others who wrote fine poetry and fiction prose, are developing skills that the devil hates. Praise be to God!

The 816 contestants were competing for only twelve high school prizes in this contest, five of which were won by Covenant High School students:

First Place ($100) in 9-10 grade fiction writing: Joel Kim (10)
First Place ($100) in 11-12 grade poetry writing: Nate Sheldon (11)
First Place ($100) in 11-12 grade fiction writing: Tommy Slack (12)
Second Place ($75) in 11-12 grade fiction writing: Nate Sheldon (11)
Third Place ($50) in 11-12 grade fiction writing: Will Firch (12)

In a contest with over 800 entries, this year's contest marks several firsts for CHS and my students over the last thirteen years.

First time we've had all young men winners.
First time to win first in both poetry and fiction categories.
First time to have five winning entries.
First time to sweep (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) an entire category.
First time to have a single winner in both fiction and poetry in the same year.

Students writers will be honored May 27, 2009 at an event hosted by Pacific Lutheran University, where the students will read their work, be presented with a book of the winning entries, and receive their monetary prizes. Congratulations to all of you!