Oakwood Junior High’s Power of the Pen team earned the title of State Champions during their final competition of the year in Ashland, Ohio, on May 16-17. Six students on the team poured their creative energy into their stories throughout the day.

The rigorous writing competition pitted Oakwood students against the top 20% of student writers across the state. Congratulations to the entire state competition team, comprised of eighth graders Avery Enseleit, Mila Gelbart, Kate S., and Krisha Sundaram, as well as seventh graders Naomi Dunn and Annabelle Neumeister. 

In individual competition, Kate S. earned the title of State Champion, winning first in the individual competition. Eighth-grader Avery Enseleit earned 12th place. 

“The day started with 250 writers from each grade level, so to win shows talent and excellence at the highest level,” Ann Whitehair, Oakwood Junior High English teacher and Power of the Pen advisor, said.

Two seventh-grade writers, Naomi Dunn and Annabelle Neumeister, were recognized and received Platinum Pen Awards for their outstanding writing in the Regional Competition.  Their writing will be published in the Power of the Pen 2024 Book of Winners.