Power of the Pen State Finals 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2021 Power of the Pen State Finals
2021 Contents
Power of the Pen
State Tournament Regional Directors........................................................................................................... 4
Guest Author Jack Gantos.............................................................................................. 5
Hosted Virtually
by Otterbein University
Promising Young Talent Award..................................................................................... 6
Power of the Pen Founders’ Award............................................................................... 8
Friday, May 14 Annual Humor Award..................................................................................................10
7 p.m.
Guest Author Jack Gantos Powerful Pen Award......................................................................................................12
Via Zoom Webinar Annual Poetry Award...................................................................................................13
Saturday, May 15 2020-2021 Tournament Chart.....................................................................................14
9 a.m. Writing Round 1 Extraordinary Year, Extraordinary Stories........................................................... 15
9:55 a.m. Writing Round 2
2020-2021 District Tournaments................................................................................16
10:50 a.m. Writing Round 3
2020-2021 Regional Tournaments..............................................................................19
Awards Ceremony 2021 State Contestants - Seventh Grade.....................................................................21
The virtual awards
ceremony will be posted 2021 State Contestants - Eighth Grade.......................................................................25
on Facebook and YouTube The Power Behind the Program..................................................................................29
at a date and time to be
announced.
Donations and Support................................................................................................30
Alumni............................................................................................................................32
Board and State Tournament Staff..............................................................................33
Extraordinary Year,
Extraordinary Stories
© 2021 Power of the Pen,® All rights reserved worldwide.
PO Box 442, Richfield, Ohio 44286
2 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT
With sincere gratitude to those
who share our vision of excellence
and whose belief in our mission has
made this event possible,
we welcome you to the
2021
Power of the Pen
State Finals
~
Hosted virtually by
Otterbein
University
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 3
Power of the Pen regional Directors
Regional directors have formed Mary Anderson, Jenn Sauvey,
the backbone of Power of the Pen’s Northeast Region Southwest
program since the 2018-2019 season. Power of the Region
As coaches’ primary contact with Pen is the best Power of the Pen
the program, regional directors middle school is a wonderful
work behind the scenes to ensure writing program opportunity for
that students, coaches, families, because it provides students because
and volunteers have a wonderful opportunities for it allows creative
tournament experience. Their teachers to access writers – who often
responsibilities range from recruiting splendid models for write on their own,
participating schools to supervising instruction in the in solitude – to find
the tab room. Book of Winners and to access best practices a community of other writers who share their
used by fellow teachers. love of words and storytelling.
When the pandemic compelled us to
move tournaments online, regional Robin Langlais, Barb Tschantz,
directors jumped into what turned South-Central Lake Erie Region
out to be a monumental task. We Region The most difficult
needed to recreate every aspect Power of the Pen aspect of having
of a tournament online. Regional is a safe place to cancel the 2020
directors took on many roles that for students to state tournament
had formerly been handled by develop and share was the loss of the
volunteers, including monitoring their unique voice writing – all of the
students online, sorting the writing and belong to a creative responses
to email to judges, reviewing ballots, group of people that we would
and delivering awards. who love language never see. We were
and stories. The bond is truly magical and determined to do whatever it took to give
Power of the Pen’s online season enduring. students a chance to compete this year, online.
would not have been possible
without the regional directors’ Polly Walters,
extraordinary efforts and their Julie Lyberger, Northwest
willingness to go far above and Eastern Region Region
beyond what had been expected of Power of the Pen Here we are
them prior to the pandemic. We has been a labor after over a
extend our deepest gratitude to them of love for me for year of virtual
for ensuring that Power of the Pen 23 years. I love tournaments. With
writers have a place to shine, even meeting all of the every additional
during the pandemic. dedicated coaches task, every
and the extremely additional hour
talented writers of work invested,
from across the I am grateful for the opportunity to serve
state. Seeing the talented students create Northwest schools and coaches in their efforts
engaging, emotional stories in 40 minutes to provide a creative writing experience for
boggles my mind. their eager students.
Paula Cheryl Yates-
McWilliams, Bledsoe,
Western Region Northern Region
I love Power of I love Power of the
the Pen because Pen because of its
even though it is encouragement of
a competition, the creative writing and
writers constantly writers. I admire
support and the persistence
cheer on their and dedication
competitors. It of learners and
takes special coaches to guide creative souls to coaches all the time, but especially during this
new levels of communication, and dedicated challenging year.
writers to accept the challenge of producing
well-written and unique narratives in a short
period of time.
4 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT
Guest Author Jack Gantos
Jack has written books for readers
of all ages, from picture books and
middle-grade fiction to novels for
young adults and adults. His works
include Hole in My Life, a memoir
that won the Michael L. Printz and
Robert F. Sibert honors; Joey Pigza
Swallowed the Key, a National Book
Award Finalist, Joey Pigza Loses
Control, a Newbery Honor book,
and Dead End in Norvelt, the 2012
Newbery Medal Winner, and the
Scott O’Dell Award Winner for Best
Historic Fiction.
As recounted in Heads or Tails, his
first book of “Jack Henry” stories
inspired by his own childhood
journals, the seeds for Jack’s
writing career were planted in sixth
grade, when he read his sister’s
diary and decided he could write
better than she could. He begged
his mother for a diary and began to
collect anecdotes he overheard at
school, mostly from standing outside
the teachers’ lounge and listening to
their lunchtime conversations. Later, he incorporated many of these anecdotes into stories.
In junior high he went to a school that had been converted from a former state prison. He
thinks the inmates probably fled for their lives once the students showed up. Again, he spent
most of his time reading on his own and, like “Harriet” in Harriet the Spy, he spied on all his
“low supervision” neighbors and wrote down their lunatic activities (a lot of gore and broken
bones and bizarre games).
Jack decided to become a writer when he was in high school. But he would have to wait
another three years, until he went to college, before he could actually meet other writers and
study with teachers who thought writing amounted to more than just cribbing book reports
and composing sympathy notes.
While in college, he and an illustrator friend, Nicole Rubel, began working on picture books.
After a series of rejections, they published their first book, Rotten Ralph, in 1976. It was a
success and the beginning of Jack’s career as a professional writer.
Jack continued to write children’s books and began to teach courses in children’s book writing
and children’s literature. He developed the master’s degree program in children’s book writing
at Emerson College and the Vermont College M.F.A. program for children’s book writers. He
now devotes his time to writing books and educational speaking.
A longtime supporter of Power of the Pen, Jack Gantos has appeared at several Power of the
Pen state tournaments. With his quick wit and gift for storytelling, Jack’s presentations feature
a powerful mix of amusing anecdotes and advice for writers.
As you can tell from the picture, Jack has become quite adept at Zoom presentations over
the course of the pandemic. However, he is available for school visits in fall 2021.
Visit https://jackgantos.com.
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 5
The Promising Young Talent Award: Edward Li
This year’s Promising Young Talent Faulty Tear Ducts
Award winner, Edward Li, has multiple
stories published in the 2019 and 2020 by Edward Li
editions of the Book of Winners. Guest
author Jack Gantos selected “Faulty Tear My legs shudder involuntarily, with greater and greater intensity as my name
Ducts” for capturing both the physical on the handout approaches. The violist, named Noah, a good friend of mine,
and the emotional range of the narrator’s is up on stage playing Bach’s Cello Suite 1. I turn my palms upward to let out
experience. my perspiration, to let it drift away as cirrus clouds, but instead it rains back
down again into the rivers of my creases.
Noah finishes with a flourish and the audience applauds. He poses with his
Meet viola under the crook of his arm and faces the blinding flash of the camera –
Edward Li without blinking! Whenever I take a picture with any sort of flash, my eyelids
I am currently seem to want to race toward each other like the cover of a camera shutter. As a
a freshman at result, my pictures come out with my eyes closed half the time.
the Seven Hills The academy director, Mr. Lute (I’m not kidding, that’s his real name. Heck,
Upper School, he runs a music academy.) calls my name. Already, I’m fighting to keep my
with one-and- eyes open against the stage lights; I look down at the comforting black of the
two-thirds music stand as I set up my score.
Power of the Pen Turning toward the pianist, I see that he loyally awaits my cue to begin. I
seasons under
give him a nod once the audience quiets, and his fingers spring into action.
my belt. I was
The accompanying part of Mozart’s Concerto in G swells up, falls, and races
on the Mason
Middle School along. I don’t so much as let my eyelashes brush each other as I squint at my
writing team, sheet music, counting silently until my entrance, blood roaring in my ears.
qualifying for Just barely, I manage the triple-chord and beginning passage with sweating
state level (and fingers and uncooperative violin. As I continue, the vibrating strings glare at
several fancy me like the edge of a guillotine blade, my bow sliding about from note to note
awards) in like a defective seesaw.
both seasons. I shift up, land too high, wince, and readjust my other fingers for the
I also play piano and violin, enjoy making videos sixteenth notes that follow. I can’t continue like this. I still haven’t blinked in
and music compositions, have participated nearly thirty seconds, and moisture starts building up. Not helping! I scold my
in Lego STEM competitions, and am an avid tear ducts.
Minecraft player. A scratching noise emits from my instrument as I stumble along the staccato
section: even it is protesting now. Still, I hobble along, trying to keep up with
I first became involved with Power of the Pen
when I tried out for the school writing team. I my accomplice like a wounded infantryman. The printed notes blur in and out
don’t remember why, exactly, but I do remember of existence. When will this end?
that my first practice stories were quite bad! As I let myself blink. Once. The stage stops spinning.
time went on, though, story writing started to My fingers take this as an excuse to falter, but I urge them on. Mozart’s
grow on me and I found my ideas easier to put score rises back out of my tears, the full moon over a calming ocean. My
on paper, more passionate to write, and more mind makes sense of it now. I glance back again at my accompanying pianist
enjoyable to reread. and continue the piece. As we conclude, and I complete the cadenza with
Power of the Pen has introduced me to story newfound confidence, I finish with a genuine smile for once. I’m actually
writing as well as sparked my interest in disappointed it’s over but relieved all the same.
fields beyond it. Power of the Pen gave me 40
dedicated, competitive minutes of time every
week to let the writer’s fire ignite inside. Without
Power of the Pen keeping the distractions
away for those 40 minutes, I might never have
developed the beginnings of a new passion
and expanded my writing prowess past the
occasional English final essay.
Some people say passions are things to be
found; other people say you have to make them.
I think passions are both – like jewelry. You dig
the rough gem out of the earth and painstakingly
chisel it to your liking. And for me, writing was
and is no exception to that rule.
6 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT
Past Winners of the Promising
Young Talent Award
The Norma Fox Mazer Award The Lois Lowry Award The Jack Gantos Award
1989 Carol Sinko, Taft MS, Canton 2001 Brett Okamoto, Avon MS, Avon, 2012 Abby Studebaker, Tecumseh MS,
Coached by Beth Shoemaker Coached by Janel Folland New Carlisle, Coached by Lahela Snyder
The Jan Greenberg Award The Richard Peck Award The Katherine Applegate Award
1990 Renee Hairston, Shaker Heights MS, 2002 Elizabeth LaCroix, Laurel School, 2013 Olivia Petryszyn, Chardon MS,
Shaker Heights Shaker Heights, Coached by Rebecca Chardon, Coached by Cher Culliton
Coached by Shanna Spalding Chandler
The Sharon M. Draper Award
The Bruce Clements Award The Margaret Peterson Haddix Award 2014 Jake Van de Walle, Brady MS, Pepper
1991 Rae Sikula, Center JHS, Strongsville 2003 Alyssa Eckles, Evergreen MS, Pike, Coached by Jeff Kapostasy
Coached by M. Mittler and P. Scriven Matamoras, Coached by Jamie Wesolowski
The Michael Grant Award
The Norma Fox Mazer Award The Stephanie Tolan Award 2015 Claire Malec, Westpark
1992 Jennifer Mayer, Nord JHS, Amherst, 2004 Stephanie Goldfarb, Shaker Heights Community School, Cleveland,
Coached by Barbara Brown MS, Shaker Heights, Coached by Coached by Jennifer Clark
Jane Troha
The Richard Peck Award The Jack Gantos Award
1993 Tyler McIlvaine, Central MS, The Gordon Korman Award 2016 Alexandra Xuan, Lake MS, Hartville,
Wadsworth, Coached by Linda King 2005 Justin McAtee, Little Hocking MS, Coached by Barb Tschantz
Little Hocking, Coached by Connie Dobbs
The Chris Crutcher Award The Chris Crutcher Award
1994 Lisa Williams, Milkovich MS, Maple The Chris Crutcher Award 2017 Johnna Blystone, Austintown MS,
Heights, Coached by Scott Stephen 2006 Siobhan Tellez, Oakwood JHS, Youngstown, Coached by
Dayton, Coached by John Holland Jason Freudenberg
The Gordon Korman Award
1995 Tim Bugansky, Marlington MS, The Kimberly Holt Award The Jason Reynolds Award
Alliance, Coached by Mary Staib 2007 Maggie Sivit, Laurel School, Shaker 2019 Berkley Pelletier, Hudson MS,
Heights, Coached by Kathleen Shields Hudson, Coached by Mike Fejes
The Richard Peck Award
1996 Josh Grimm, Fredericktown JHS, The Jaime Adoff Award The Margaret Peterson Haddix Award
Fredericktown, Coached by Carolyn Grimm 2008 Louisa Rich, McKinney MS, Yellow 2020 Paige Galperin, Kimpton MS,
Springs, Coached by Aurelia Blake Munroe Falls, Coached by Leslie Haynam
The Joan Bauer Award
1997 Bryn Grey, Roxboro MS, Cleveland The Suzanne Fisher Staples Award
Heights, Coached by Mary Gibson 2009 Zyna Bakari, McKinney MS, Yellow
Springs, Coached by Aurelia Blake
The Lois Lowry Award
1998 Katrina Phillips, Davey MS, Kent, The Margaret Peterson Haddix Award
Coached by Lynne Penix and Jeff Haar 2010 Mikale Thomas, Roxboro MS,
Cleveland Heights, Coached by
The Lois Duncan Award Caitlin McGrath
1999 Christopher Russell, Gahanna MS
East, Gahanna, Coached by Lane Wood The Chris Crutcher Award
2011 Alix Prybyla, Old Trail School, Bath,
The Paul Zindel Award Coached by Erik Korvne
2000 Ruth McDowell, St. Sebastian,
Akron, Coached by Mary Anderson
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 7
Introducing:
Power of the Pen Founders’ Award
In 1985, writer and educator Lorraine B. Merrill had a vision: how wonderful it would be if schools recognized
and celebrated writing as much as they recognized and celebrated team sports. Lorraine envisioned a series of
interscholastic writing tournaments across Ohio, with schools forming creative writing clubs to prepare students for
these events. Young authors not only would enjoy the thrill of competition, but they also would experience the same
camaraderie, skills development, and support afforded to school athletes.
Lorraine made her vision a reality with the first
interscholastic tournament for middle school students
at Nordonia Junior High School in the 1985-1986
school year. The Nordonia tournament helped her earn
recognition as a Christa McAuliffe Fellow by the U.S. and
State Departments of Education in 1988. The grant she
received was designed to foster educational programs
exemplifying Christa McAuliffe’s pioneering spirit.
The grant provided Lorraine with a year’s sabbatical
to bring to life her vision of blending innovative teacher
training with interscholastic writing competitions
as a means of strengthening academic achievement
among students at the middle school level. This was
accomplished in 1988-1989 with substantial funding
support from the Gund, Knight, and Cleveland
Foundations.
The challenge then became how to take this fledgling
program in a little corner of Ohio and expand it into a
groundbreaking statewide operation. This was where
Frank’s talent and skill proved pivotal. When the program
began, the term ‘World Wide Web’ didn’t even exist.
Classrooms had no computers or smartboards. Frank
was never intimidated by the transformational birth of
In Memory the digital age; rather, he embraced it. He was an early
of Frank and Lorraine Merrill leader in creating computer programming, including the
elaborate scoring system that is used in tournaments.
Lorraine and Frank poured more than 30 years of their lives into Power of the Pen as they worked tirelessly
to expand the program throughout the entire state of Ohio. Lorraine provided the creative inspiration; raised
funds; built a board of trustees, state committee, and network of volunteers and staff; implemented professional
development; and communicated closely with coaches. She developed the holistic training and criteria used by
writing coaches and judges. Frank worked behind the scenes to support each of these endeavors, as well as manage
registration, scoring, the website, and the business aspects of running a nonprofit organization.
Lorraine’s belief in the power of middle school students’ voices was unwavering. Reflecting in 2016 on Power of
the Pen’s connection with Christa McAuliffe, Lorraine noted the similarities between the program’s young writers
and astronauts: “They have donned the wings of imagination with which to dream, the audacity to believe. And
the courage to soar.” Thanks to Frank and Lorraine, tens of thousands of Ohio’s young writers have been given the
opportunity to soar.
Family members have established the Founders’ Award in Memory of Frank and Lorraine Merrill with the
Springfield Foundation to honor annually an exceptional writer. Few things would give Frank and Lorraine greater
happiness than to know that, long after they are gone, Power of the Pen will continue to nurture young voices.
8 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT
Power of the Pen Founders’ Award: Lily Valerius
A Promise Lost Meet
Lily Valerius
by Lily Valerius, Wyoming Middle School, Wyoming
I am a ninth grader at Wyoming High School.
A promise is a fickle thing. It seems so clear when new, but tarnishes and I play hockey and run track, and I like to roller
fades over time. What once was a guarantee can quickly shift to a desperate skate and paint whenever I get a chance.
struggle to make ends meet. A promise that was once the only truth you knew I write because there’s no shortage of words
can become a lie that weighs heavily on your heart. to arrange in
That’s why, when I first brought her home, I should never have made her different ways,
this promise. Never should have hugged her, stroked her fur, let her lick my and I write so I
cheek. I shouldn’t have taken one look at the long golden fur, shining in the can see something
dusky evening light coming from the stained-glass window, and decided she more clearly, so
was mine to protect. that the same
At all costs. image springs up
every time the
And now, as I stroke her muzzle, with its bristly silver hairs and short, white
page is read.
whiskers, I’m crying, and my tears drip onto her tired head, but she doesn’t
have the strength to lick them away as she once would have. I joined Power
As she would have done when we still played fetch for hours in the of the Pen after
backyard, and she sprinted back and forth, her lean body in perpetual motion, I heard about it
and we were happy, and she was young. When she ate ravenously and the only from my language
pill bottle for her on the bathroom counter was her flea medication. arts teacher
because I wanted
And now the vet is telling me that I can go out or stay in for this part; and
to get better at
she’s looking at me with those big, dark, golden-brown eyes, and I’m shaking expressing ideas,
my head, because I don’t want to leave her. and because
I can’t leave her. writing feels like
And as the needle enters her side and her eyes begin to close, I close mine, reading to me. You can see the story in your
too, and think of the days when we played and were young, and she could still head, much like with reading, but you get to
run and jump, and we danced together to Christmas music, her paws on my create and edit it.
waist while Mom and Dad put up the ornaments.
I’ll always be grateful to Power of the Pen for
I think of the long walks in the woods, and the way she seemed to smile at giving me the opportunity to become a more
the world, tongue out and eyes bright. creative and confident writer and for helping me
And when I open my eyes, hers are closed. I take a shuddering breath, and I receive constructive criticism on my work.
feel Mom’s hand on my shoulder, but it doesn’t help because I know what no
one else knows.
I know that years ago, on a bright and golden evening, I met a puppy and I
loved her, and I made a promise.
I promised her I would always keep her safe.
And now I stand here, hand buried in her thick fur. I stand here and I feel
the warmth of life, of light, of love, begin to leave her body.
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 9
The Annual Humor Award: Shaliz Bazldjoo
The 2021 Humor Award winner is the author The Dark Side of the Playground
of a story featuring shady dealings on an
elementary school playground. Readers
by Shaliz Bazldjoo, Laurel School, Shaker Heights
will enjoy this lighthearted look at a model
student flirting with danger. Shaliz Bazldjoo
The day at the playground felt like any other. My classmates played, teachers
was selected as this year’s winner by Sage
watched and talked to one another, the sun was bright and beaming and
Boggs, a Power of the Pen alum and writer
joyful. Kids laughed and squealed on the swing set, hid under the playground
for television, whose credits include The
steps, swept through the monkey bars in skillful competitions. Most of the
Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live.
second grade – myself included – spent their recess time here, in the nice,
bright, happy part of the playground.
But there was another side. A dark side. A shady side. Past the seesaw,
Meet
through the sandpit, under a plastic tunnel. If you could then survive the
Shaliz
searing heat of the metal slide, and then took an artfully crafted tumble
Bazldjoo
through a grove of trees, you found yourself on the dark side.
Few ventured here. Most of the kids my age barely knew it existed. Some of
Shaliz Bazldjoo the older kids braved it in order to take the banned substance – bubble gum –
is currently in others to use their phones or trade packets of chips.
ninth grade at There were different territories in this area, each one more dangerous than
Laurel School in the last; the Fourth Grade Gathering, just off the middle school playground;
Shaker Heights, the Gamer’s Grotto, in a group of logs where kids snuck in playing devices.
Ohio. She There was also the Climber’s Association, and no one knew when they were
enjoys reading, watching from their perches in the trees. And many more clans hid between
joking, fencing, the wood chips.
language- There was a pathway between the tire swing and the swinging pole that
learning, and
belonged to no clan. It was the no-man’s-land of the Dark Side, where
criticizing spy
movies, and
newcomers approached if they wanted a glimpse of the shady life but didn’t
she participates have the courage to swear fealty to a clan. It was also where trades were made
frequently in and bargains struck, where kids of all grades came to make deals on seeing
debate and political activism. test scores and exchanging glitter pens. It was where I was going now.
I was usually a nice girl. My mom did my hair in braids every morning. I
Writing has been an integral part of Shaliz’s went to school immaculately dressed, got good grades and won ribbon stickers
life ever since her first hand-scribbled picture to showcase my excellence. Today I was venturing into the Dark Side of the
books, and she continues to work on both short playground for a very special cause.
stories and novel drafts every day. In her mind, Leaves and wood chips crunched under my shoes. Birds chirped in the trees
writing is like sleeping: difficult, but natural. nearby. The squealing of children echoed behind me, and I longed to return to
She entered Power of the Pen in seventh and
the good, safe life. But I could not. Not yet. I had a mission to complete.
eighth grade with other students from her
school, and being on the Power of the Pen team
The pathway was dangerous. Dark-siders more skilled than I might trick
has helped her gain more focus and confidence me into giving them a yogurt squeeze at lunch. And there was always the
in her work and prompted her to pursue more possibility of a teacher catching us and giving us time-outs if they saw us
writing opportunities today. misbehaving. But I had to be brave.
I found him leaning against a rock wall. Kenny Foster of the second grade
was more used to the Dark Side of the playground than I was, but I was
smarter. I was the smartest kid in my whole grade.
His ebony muss of hair turned my way. He pocketed the fidget spinner he
had been playing with and stood up straighter.
“You wanted to meet with me?” he said. It was clear from the disdain in his
eyes that he thought I was new to the Dark Side and was only wasting his time.
“Yes.” I leaned in. “I know you took a second candy, Kenny,” I whispered, and
almost grinned when he turned sheet pale.
Kenny goggled at me, astonished. “How did you — ”
“Don’t think I’ll reveal my secrets. You took a second candy from the jar this
morning after winning the trivia question. You’re only allowed to take one.”
The disdain was gone from Kenny’s face, replaced with panic. “Please don’t
tell Miss Davis! I really thought no one saw! Please don’t tell her!”
“I won’t …” A sly look edged onto my face. “Under one condition.”
10 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTPast Winners of the
Humor Award
“Anything! Name it!” 2007
“You give me one of your candies.” Laura Gates, Hathaway Brown School,
Poor Kenny looked torn. I felt bad to pressure him so, but it was the way Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County
business worked. “Why? You can have anything else, anything.”
2008
“I want the candy, Kenny.”
Kevin O’Donnell, Bellbrook MS, Bellbrook,
Kenny still looked reluctant. “Come on, Kenny,” I pressed, “the candy, or I tell
Greene County
Miss Davis. And you won’t last a minute in time-out.”
I held out my hand. Finally Kenny relented and placed a Jolly Rancher in my 2009
palm. I then ran away, back into the safe, happy side of the playground. Tyler Detrick, Rockway MS, Springfield,
I closed my fist and grinned, quickly slipping the candy into my pocket and Clark County
skipping back out to the monkey bars. I was quite a good bargainer. Who ever
2010
said nice girls couldn’t handle the Dark Side?
Lauren Wheeler, Lake MS, Hartville,
Stark County
Alex Pfeiffer, Dominion MS, Columbus,
Franklin County
2011
Sabrina Djemil, Brecksville Broadview
Heights, Broadview Heights, Cuyahoga
County
2012
Isabella Nilsson, Hathaway Brown, Shaker
Heights, Cuyahoga County
2013
Hope Anderson, Huntington MS,
Chillicothe, Ross County
2014
Moira Armstrong, Howland MS, Warren,
Trumbull County
2015
Lauren Durham, Versailles MS, Versailles,
Darke County
2016
Ellie Frato-Sweeney, James A Garfield MS,
Garrettsville, Portage County
2017
Berkley Pelletier, Hudson MS, Summit
County
2019
Natalie Glover, Wyoming MS, Wyoming,
Hamilton County
2020
Sun-Hee Smith, St. Bernadette School,
Westlake, Cuyahoga County
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 11Powerful Pen Award: Laurel Buescher
More than 10,000 stories are produced The Gift
during a single Power of the Pen season,
and fewer than 100 of these are selected
by Laurel Buesher, Monticello Middle School, Cleveland Heights
for publication in the annual Book of
Winners. The Powerful Pen Award is
Bleep! Bleep! Bleep! The jarring sound of my alarm pulls me from a deep
reserved for the rare writers who have
slumber, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets.
had at least four pieces published in the
I’m tired. Too tired. Of the same day, the same routine, the same life. Wake
Book of Winners over a two-year time
up, go to school, try not to fail.
span. This year’s winner, Laurel Buescher,
As I sit in Mr. Burns’s third period class, watching his old clock tick along like
uses vivid description and subtle humor to
a snail, I wonder, “Is there anything new in life?”
craft relatable stories that range from the
“Attention, third period, I have a special announcement for you.” My teacher’s
dramatic tale of a mosquito bite gone bad
voice penetrates my lonely daydreams. “Today you have the honor of meeting a
to the thrill of a crisp autumn day. In her
live musician, who is a member of our very own Tulsa Orchestra.”
piece “The Gift,” the narrator makes an
I sigh. I don’t know what I was expecting, really. Me, Ally, a regular girl, to get
unexpected discovery.
life-changing news?
As the musician, carrying a case made of leather, marches into the room,
announces himself as Mr. Rines and unzips the case, a murmur of interest
Meet
passes through the room. The case holds a beautifully crafted instrument. “A
Laurel
violin,” he says, as he holds the instrument with strings stretched tightly over
Buescher
exquisitely varnished wood. “Now class, who knows the four strings of the
violin?” he questions the crowd at random.
Laurel I hear mutters of “A”, “E”, “D”, and “G.”
Buescher is “That’s right,” he encourages. Then, he lifts the golden work of art out of its
finishing her box and begins to play. Plays a mesmerizing, incredibly lovely song that fills the
freshman year cramped room with wonder and life. As the music swells, I feel the urge to get
at Cleveland up and move. Move to the music, the sound, the life. I’m actually out of my seat
Heights before I realize what I am doing. In the middle of class in front of a stranger!
High School, “Ally, sit down. What are you doing?” Again, Mr. Burns’s voice pulls me back
where she is to reality, where a now-silent musical instrument is carried and gently nestled
a member of into the soft cloth that makes up its home.
the soccer and
Distantly, I hear the bell ring, dismissing the class. But I’m not caught up in the
track teams.
Outside of
frenzy of movement of my classmates, their only goal to get to the next class on
school, she time. I still feel drawn to the instrument, its spectacular music singing in my ears.
enjoys playing “Ah, Ally, right?” Mr. Rines seems to recognize me as the fool who stood up in
violin, baking, the middle of the piece.
throwing knives, and reading, along with “That’s right,” I respond, embarrassed by the memory. “I’m sorry I stood and
taking care of her pet mice. She’s looking if I distracted you or anything,” I blurt out. “The music was just so…” I search
forward to summer, and a more normal school for the right word, “compelling.”
year soon! But Mr. Rines, the maker of such wonderful music, is just nodding, a slight
smile on his face.
Laurel writes because she enjoys the challenge “No,” he contradicts. “I know what you mean. I’m actually very happy that
of bringing a story to life and exploring
you stood. It means you have a gift.”
scenarios that might not be feasible in our
own world. She learned about Power of
“A gift?” I echo. “How? I’m just a regular girl, trying to keep from failing
the Pen through her older sister who had school.”
participated, which inspired her to join the “You have it, Ally. It’s there. Would you like to take a closer look at my violin?”
team as well. Power of the Pen has helped “Yes,” I breathe, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the amazing instrument.
Laurel make new friends and develop her love The wooden box – handcrafted in Germany, Mr. Rines tells me – sits on the
of writing and reading. desk, gleaming like all the sun in the world is shining on it.
“May I pick it up?
He nods.
As I gently lift the majestic instrument from its velvety home, I feel a sense of
belonging, and a longing to hear the beautiful music it makes. I pluck a string
and it makes a deep, rich sound, reverberating around the room. My heart
swells at the sound I had made with this amazing creation, knowing that at last
I had found my gift.
12 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTThe Annual Poetry Award: Anah Khan
In honor of Renee Hairston, a former poet and writer from Shaker Heights, Ohio
My brother’s eyes First established in 1991, the statewide Recent Winners of the
poetry contest is open to state qualifiers,
by Anah Khan, Beachwood MS, and we received 70 entries this year. Poetry Award
Beachwood
George Bilgere, a distinguished poet and 2008
professor of English and Creative Writing Molly Harian (8th), Karrer MS, Dublin
what color are your eyes, sunny?
at John Carroll University, has selected the Emily Anderson (7th), Bellbrook MS,
looking into them i can’t tell
winning poetry. Bellbrook
yet on your first minute earthside
into them i fell 2009
Amanda Fosnight (7th), Creston MS,
what color are your eyes, sunny? Mantua
are they deep and brown like us?
mom says to leave you alone, 2010
not to make such a fuss. Gina Clepper (7th), Gahanna MS East,
Gahanna
but oh i need to know, sunny,
2011
what color are your eyes?
Brianna Long (7th), West Branch MS,
you smile at me for the first time ever,
Beloit
and i feel my heart rise
Abbi Cox (7th), Claymont MS, Dennison
your eyes might be bright and blue 2012
a mutation, unique, and new Max Berry (7th), Northridge MS,
none of our eyes are blue Johnstown
but we need a change, it could be you
2013
Meet Anah Khan Cheyenne Brown (8th), Indian Valley MS,
or your eyes could be green
light, dark, or in-between I am an eighth grader at Beachwood Middle Tuscarawas
whatever the color, i’ll love you the same School. When I’m not writing, I enjoy 2014
like i always have, ever since you came spending quality time with family and
Zoe Dudack (8th), Miller South, Akron
friends, reading, drawing, and pursuing my
your eyes are hazel, sunny interests in whatever new hobby I take up! 2015
with fascination i watch you watching When my sister encouraged me to enter Kaavya Ramachandran (8th), Mason MS,
the world Power of the Pen, I was hesitant. Entering Mason
through hazel-colored windows in state-wide contests seemed intimidating. Alexandra Xuan (8th), Lake MS, Hartville
brown and green and blue swirled However, I found that I was not alone.
2016
into your eyes, sunny As the years progressed, I wrote continuously, Amy Xuan (8th), Grizzell MS, Dublin
i look for the hundredth time pouring my thoughts onto paper one after
And find myself falling one. Through this, I found that Power of the 2017
into you, sweet brother of mine. Pen isn’t just a writing contest. It’s a place to Delaney Barga (7th), Versailles MS,
foster creativity and promote individuality. Versailles
The liberation that I would experience when Ashley Tate (7th), West Holmes MS,
I maneuvered a prompt to view through my Millersburg
own lens was exhilarating, and I am forever
grateful for the opportunities I have received. 2019
Zola Hoffmeister (8th), Wyoming MS,
Power of the Pen has changed my perspective Wyoming
on writing forever, and seeing fellow writers
Marie Kanzinger (8th), Chagrin Falls MS,
endeavoring to make their mark as I have
Chagrin Falls
makes it all the more fulfilling.
2020
Special Commendation
George Bilgere selected “Cheers” by Nina Van Anna Blasinski (8th), Karrer MS, Dublin
Zandweghe for Honorable Mention. Zoe Stiefel (7th), Shaker Heights MS,
Shaker Heights
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 13Northwest District 1
St. Marys
r Middle
Middle School
Saturday,
ay January
ry 23, 2021 Northwest Re
R gional
Regional
Lourdes University
t
Northwest District 2 a March
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Saturday,
a February
February
r 6, 2021 2020-21
Western District 1 SEASON
CHART
West Carrollton Middle School
Saturday,
a January r 30, 2021 R gional
Re
Western Regional
t
Wittenberg University
Western District 2 a March
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Shawnee Middle School
a February
Saturday, February
r 6, 2021
Southwest District 1
The Seven Hills School
a January
Saturday, r 23, 2021 Southwest ReRegional
R gional
Wyoming
W
Wyo ming Middle School
Southwest District 2 a February
Saturday, r 27, 2021
February
Little Miami Junior High School
Saturday,
a Januaryr 30, 2021
South-Central District 1
Circleville High School
Saturday,
a January r 23, 2021 South-Central Regional
R gional
Re State Tournament
Ann Simpson Davis Middle School Otterbe
r in University
Otterbein t
South-Central District 2 a March
Saturday, March 20, 2021 Online May
a 15, 2021
Gahanna Middle School South
Saturday,
a February
February
r 20, 2021
Eastern District 1
University of Mount Union
Saturday,
a January r 9, 2021 Eastern Regional
R gional
Re
Malone University
t
Eastern District 2 Saturday,
a March
March 13, 2021
Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy
Saturday,
a Januaryr 30, 2021
Northeast District 1
St. Vincent-St. Mary
r High School
Saturday,
a January r 9, 2021 Northeast Regional
R gional
Re
Kent State University
t
Northeast District 2 a February
Saturday, r 27, 2021
February
Ashland Middle School
Saturday,
a Januaryr 23, 2021
Lake Erie District 1
Lake Erie College
Saturday, January 9, 2021 Lake Erie Regional
Hudson Middle School
Lake Erie District 2 Saturday, March 13, 2021
University School
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Northern District 2 Northern Regional
Columbia Middle School Baldwin Wallace University
Saturday, February 6, 2021 Saturday, March 13, 2021
14 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTExtraordinary Year,
Extraordinary Stories
I thought today’s competition went very smoothly. Please That was my goal, really, to just get to state. I’m also excited
pass my thanks along to all who helped make it possible. I just to get the experience of competing in it, even if I’m not
know an event like this doesn’t come together without an able to go in person.
incredible amount of planning, work, and effort! ~ Isabel Siegel, 7th Grade Writer, Shaker Heights MS
~ Carol Brown, Coach, Ankeney MS
Wow! What a weekend we had for Power of the Pen. I have to I’m so glad that students have Power of the Pen to turn to
say that I was so impressed with the online portion this year. during these difficult times. I know our students are super
Very user friendly and easy for the students to adapt to. happy to be doing the club, not only because they love
writing but because it helps them feel like things are at least
~ Ida Gorman, Coach, East Canton MS
a little bit normal.
~ Amy Merrill-Wyatt, Coach, Springfield MS
Competing in Power of the Pen has been such a great I love that with all the issues surrounding COVID and so
opportunity to improve my skills as a writer, and to have many things cancelled, Power of the Pen stayed true and put
some fun in the middle of this pandemic. Thank you so together a wonderful opportunity for the students.
much for this opportunity! ~ Barb Stasiuk, Coach, St. Mary Avon
~Mandi Lu, 8th Grade Writer, Solon MS
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 152021 Power of the Pen District Tournaments
Lake Erie College Circleville High School
January 9, 2021 January 23, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Host School Coordinator: Brooke Paxton
Dr. Elizabeth Walsh-Moorman Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade 1st Aseel Musa Sapna Rajesh
1st Marie Cain Emma Tucker Ann Simpson John Sells MS
Chagrin Falls MS Cornerstone Christian Davis MS
Academy 2nd Shivani Tennety Olivia Lu
2nd Patrick Davidson Anna Gracon Dempsey MS Willard Grizzell MS
Chagrin Falls MS Notre Dame ES 3rd Ayden Albrecht Parama Ghosh
3rd Aurora Young Emily Ludwig Sciotoville Willard Grizzell MS
Kenston MS Shore MS Community School
1st St. Joan of Arc Notre Dame 1st Gahanna MS East Willard Grizzell MS
Catholic School Elementary School Coached by Coached by
Coached by Coached by Paityn Caudill Mitzi Moshiri
Michelle Chiacchiari Kelly Stefanek
Ashland Middle School
University of Mount Union January 23, 2021
January 9, 2021 Host School Coordinator: Carolyn Hrinda
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Host School Coordinator: Julie Lyberger
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade 1st Sylvia Parada Maggie Romano
1st Madelyn Faltay Kiera Sweeney A.I. Root Brunswick MS
St. Michael School Oakwood MS 2nd Felicity Krieger Maddie Beck
2nd Isabella Biedenbach Addelina Carroll Ashland MS A.I. Root
St. Michael School Tuscarawas Valley MS 3rd Ashley Smail Sasha Dorn
3rd Zachary Ledoux Lexi Kerr Ashland MS Green MS
Jackson Memorial St. Michael School 1st Ashland MS Brunswick MS
MS Coached by Coached by
1st St. Michael School Jackson Memorial MS Carolyn Hrinda Dana Delnay
Coached by Coached by
Kara Stuhlmiller Victoria Kerr The Seven Hills School
January 23, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Chris Caldemeyer
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
January 9, 2021
1st Haley Baker Lillie Waltz
Host School Coordinator: Mary Anderson
The Summit Country Indian Hill MS
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Day School
1st Lila Morley Rhea Ballani
2nd Kaavya Tatavarty Grace Zhou
Seton Catholic R.B. Chamberlin MS
The Seven Hills Indian Hill MS
School
School
2nd Kinsey Nussbaum Addie Good
3rd Emily Bolan Claire Evans
Wadsworth MS Chippewa Junior/Senior HS
The Summit Country John Paul II Catholic School
3rd Susie Thomas Will Gee Day School
St. Sebastian Kimpton MS
1st The Seven Hills John Paul II Catholic School
Parish School
School
1st St. Sebastian R.B. Chamberlin MS
Coached by Coached by
Parish School
Chris Caldemeyer Jeffrey Karpanty
Coached by Coached by
Maggi Blischak Jason Pietrasz
16 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTSt. Marys Middle School Northeast Ohio IMPACT Academy
January 23, 2021 January 30, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Angie Woods Host School Coordinator: Kent Polen
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Ben Gehret Marie Ballas 1st Tessa Palmer Lauren Cameron
Anna MS Fort Loramie Jr. High Claymont MS West Branch MS
2nd Nora Aiken Martha Chrisman 2nd Khloe Wedberg Jilian Patterson
Anna MS Fairlawn Local Schools Lisbon David Claymont MS
3rd Valerie York Emily Eyink Anderson HS
Anna MS New Bremen MS 3rd Sophia Kadilak Joan McNally
1st St. Marys MS Wapakoneta Canfield Village MS Holy Family School
Coached by Coached by 1st Lisbon David South Range MS
Angie Woods Erika Eley Anderson HS
Coached by Coached by
Little Miami Junior High School Teresa Crawford Debbie Staffeld
January 30, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Erin Dipzinski University School
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade January 30, 2021
1st Lorelei Wise Laasya Acharya Host School Coordinator: Charlie Oberndorf
Wyoming MS Mason MS Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
2nd Ella Fernandez Sara Cope 1st Isabel Siegel Olivia Liu
Wyoming MS Lebanon JHS Shaker Heights MS Solon MS
3rd Kendall Hoeffel Layla Klotz 2nd Charles Gilson Mandi Lu
Lebanon JHS White Oak MS University School Solon MS
1st Wyoming MS Mason MS 3rd Vivian Qi Sana Adi
Coached by Coached by Ballard Brady MS Ballard Brady MS
Elizabeth Toerner Jillian Denman 1st Ballard Brady MS Solon MS
Coached by Coached by
West Carrollton Middle School Jenna Drozd Emilie Macek
January 30, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Lesley Mosher Shawnee Middle School
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade February 6, 2021
1st Teagan Williams Rylee Boyer Host School Coordinator: Darcy Leis
Oakwood JHS Miami Valley School Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
2nd Inara Arnett Meagan Shaw 1st Annika Linquist Tiffany Moore
Valley View JHS Ankeney MS Jacob Coy MS Bethel MS
3rd Tabitha Irwin Mia Crinion 2nd Addy Erdman Katie Quigley
St. Charles Borromeo St. Charles Borromeo Shawnee MS McKinney MS
1st St. Charles Borromeo St. Charles Borromeo 3rd Mila Trulock Victoria Layton
Coached by Coached by Northridge MS Bethel MS
Chris Bigelow Emily Issenmann 1st Versailles MS Global Impact
STEM Academy
Coached by Coached by
Megan Keiser Lauri McCutcheon
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 17Tiffin Middle School Gahanna Middle School South
February 6, 2021 February 20, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Sara Conner Host School Coordinator: Libby Grubb
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Ava Goodnough Paulina Babula 1st Sreshta Erravelli Saige Lyvers
Timberstone JHS Timberstone JHS New Albany MS Gahanna MS South
2nd Isabelle Forquer Elizabeth Thomas 2nd Emelia Ortlieb Rebecca Davis
McCord JHS Arbor Hills JHS Immaculate Mount Vernon MS
3rd Emily Timmerman Alyssa Perry Conception
Ottawa Hills Arbor Hills JHS 3rd Rebecca Gebhart Eve Worley
1st Timberstone JHS Perrysburg JHS St. Matthew School St. Brigid of Kildare
Coached by Coached by 1st St. Brigid of Kildare St. Brigid of Kildare
Sara Nelson Jamie Avery Coached by Coached by
Shelley Regrut Sara Hardin
Columbia Middle School
February 6, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Kyleen Wilson
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Violet Kubiak Audrey Malcuit
Bay MS St. Michael School
2nd Olivia Podlogar Zachary McChristy
North Royalton MS Ontario MS
3rd Piper Erman Kaiya Mayich
Columbia MS Rocky River MS
1st St. Raphael School Birchwood School
Coached by Coached by
Kimberly Hirsch Coached by Chuck Debelak
18 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT2021 Power of the Pen Regional Tournaments
Kent State Regional Tournament Malone University
February 27, 2021 Regional Tournament
Host School Coordinator: Mary Anderson March 13, 2021
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Host School Coordinator: Julie Lyberger
1st Ashley Smail Callie Miller Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Ashland MS Chippewa Junior/Senior HS 1st Laurel Balcom Shakthi Prabhakaran
2nd Suzana Borges Meah Cerne Jackson Memorial MS Jackson Memorial MS
St. Sebastian Black River MS 2nd Pressley Grzbowski Zachary Palumbo
Parish School Oakwood MS Jackson Memorial MS
3rd Susie Thomas Alba Mastromatteo 3rd Madelyn Faltay Lauren Cameron
St. Sebastian Holy Family St. Michael School West Branch MS
Parish School Catholic School 1st Claymont MS Jackson Memorial MS
1st Ashland MS Seton Catholic School Coached by Coached by
Coached by Coached by Alisha Mahaffey Victoria Kerr
Carolyn Hrinda Sarah Jackson Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Jackson Memorial Middle
Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Wadsworth Middle School, School, Massillon, Stark County
Wadsworth, Medina County
Baldwin Wallace University
Wyoming Middle School Regional Tournament
Regional Tournament March 13, 2021
February 27, 2021 Host School Coordinator: Cheryl Yates-Bledsoe
Host School Coordinators: Jenn Sauvey and Beth Toerner Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Areesha Nouman Audrey Malcuit
1st Denny Haley Lucy Zhang Birchwood School St. Michael School
John Paul II Mason MS 2nd Samantha Wu Alyse Young
Catholic School Olmsted Falls MS Columbia MS
2nd Elle Riva Cecilia Jones 3rd Katie Hren Beatrix Stickney
Mason MS Mason MS St. Mary of the Rocky River MS
3rd Angel Lynch Laasya Acharya Falls School
Mason MS Mason MS 1st Menlo Park Academy Birchwood School
1st Wyoming MS Mason MS Coached by Coached by
Coached by Coached by Amanda Conti Chuck Debelak
Elizabeth Toerner Jillian Denman Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Birchwood School,
Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Wyoming Middle School, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
Wyoming, Hamilton County
Wittenberg University
Hudson Middle School Regional Tournament
Regional Tournament March 13, 2021
March 13, 2021 Host School Coordinator: Paula McWilliams
Host School Coordinator: Mike Fejes Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Inara Arnett Ellie Johnson
1st Isabel Siegel Mandi Lu
Valley View JHS Triad MS
Shaker Heights MS Solon MS
2nd Bailey Boude Rose Wentz
2nd Adonis Wazni Zoe Stiefel
Van Buren MS St. Charles Borromeo
University School Shaker Heights MS
3rd Julia Ludwig Arianna Ramdatt
3rd Ian Broihier Nina Van Zandweghe
Oakwood JHS Jacob Coy MS
University School Solon MS
1st Tippecanoe MS Tippecanoe MS
1st University School Solon MS
Coached by Coached by
Coached by Coached by
Brittasha Thompson Bridget Hughes
Charles Oberndorf Emilie Macek
Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Tippecanoe Middle School,
Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Solon Middle School,
Tipp City, Miami County
Solon, Cuyahoga County
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 19Lourdes University Ann Simpson Davis MS
Regional Tournament Regional Tournament
March 20, 2021 March 20, 2021
Host School Coordinator: Anna-Marie Adamson Host School Coordinator: Disa Banker
Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Place Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
1st Annaliese Rogers Charlie Quick 1st Raghava Deivanaathan Olivia Lu
Perkins Briar MS McCord JHS Willard Grizzell MS Willard Grizzell MS
2nd Lailah Byrd Juliannah Haudenshild 2nd Madelyn Ohl Cordelia Watkins
Toledo School Tiffin MS Gahanna MS East Pleasant View MS
for the Arts 3rd Sreshta Erravelli Preethi Mereddi
3rd Maddie Hudok Margaret Cox New Albany MS Dr. Henry Karrer MS
Van Buren MS Perrysburg JHS 1st St. Matthew School St. Brigid of Kildare
1st Kenton MS Edison MS Coached by Coached by
Coached by Coached by Melissa Mengos Sara Hardin
Tina Hiller Amy Ehrhardt Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: St. Brigid of Kildare,
Winner of Sweepstakes Trophy: Perrysburg Junior High Dublin, Franklin County
School, Perrysburg, Wood County
20 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTSeventh Grade Contestants
A Bordenkircher, Catie, St. Sebastian
Parish School, Akron, Maggi Blischak,
Cooper, Mason, Claggett MS, Medina,
Kelly McLaren-Olin, Coach
Agarwal, Anushka, Ottawa Hills, Coach Creutz, Caroline, Bethany Lutheran
Ottawa Hills, Karen Fischer, Coach Borges, Suzana, St. Sebastian Parish School, Parma, Suzanne Eggelmeyer,
Aiken, Nora, Anna MS, Anna, Missy School, Akron, Maggi Blischak, Coach Coach
Rivera, Coach Boude, Bailey, Van Buren MS, Croston, Lacy, Bellevue MS, Bellevue,
Albrecht, Ayden, Sciotoville Kettering, Kyle Kennedy, Coach Catharine Downing, Coach
Community School, Sciotoville, Kristen Bozan, Ella, Nordonia MS, Northfield, Cruz, Anna, Edison MS, Massillon,
Wawro, Coach Abigail Shoop, Coach Meagan Patron, Coach
Alcorn, Megan, Lake MS, Hartville, Brady, Ella, Lebanon JHS, Lebanon,
Cheryl Yates-Bledsoe, Coach
Anderson, Avery, Tippecanoe MS,
Kathy Robinson, Coach
D
Broihier, Ian, University School, Shaker
Tipp City, Brittasha Thompson, Coach D’Astolfo, Talia, Mayfield MS, Mayfield,
Heights, Charles Oberndorf, Coach
Shannon Saunders, Coach
Andreassen, Sophie, Wyoming MS, Bucher, Brianne, Perkins Briar MS,
Wyoming, Elizabeth Toerner, Coach Dana, Dotan, Beachwood MS,
Sandusky, Mary Darr, Coach
Beachwood, Suzanne Tucker, Coach
Arnett, Inara, Valley View JHS, Burgert, Nicole, Shawnee MS,
Farmersville, Jennifer Harshberger, Das Sarma, Indrani, R.B. Chamberlin
Springfield, Darcy Leis, Coach
Coach MS, Twinsburg, Jason Pietrasz, Coach
Burgoyne, Sophia, St. Sebastian Parish
Ayers, Emily, St. Marys MS, St. Marys, Davidson, Patrick, Chagrin Falls MS,
School, Akron, Maggi Blischak, Coach
Angie Woods, Coach Chagrin Falls, Marisa Conte, Coach
Burkett, Leah, John Sells MS, Dublin,
Deivanaathan, Raghava, Willard
Melissa Voss, Coach
B Butcher, Joshua, Highland MS,
Grizzell MS, Dublin, Meaghan Miller,
Coach
Baker, Haley, The Summit Country Medina, Shelby Parker, Coach
Demczyk, Abigail, Black River MS,
Day School, Cincinnati, Brendan Butkowski, Isabel, Avon MS, Avon, Sullivan, Susan Polly, Coach
McEachern, Coach Brittany Steiger, Coach
Derr, Davy, Wadsworth MS,
Balcom, Laurel, Jackson Memorial MS, Byrd, Lailah, Toledo School for the Wadsworth, Briana Lowdermilk, Coach
Massillon, Victoria Kerr, Coach Arts, Toledo, Anna-Marie Adamson,
Desai, Reava, New Albany MS, New
Barron, Finley, Solon MS, Solon, Coach
Albany, Michele Oldenquist, Coach
Valerie Parillo, Coach
Devassy, Mike, Mason MS, Mason,
Bartal, Mira, Mount Vernon MS, Mount
Vernon, Esther Sadoff, Coach
C Rachel Young, Coach
Cahill, Evelyn, Gahanna MS East, Dewerth, Arwen, Columbia MS,
Belcastro, Ella, South Range MS, Gahanna, Paityn Caudill, Coach Columbia Station, Kyleen Wilson,
Canfield, Jacklyn Racketa, Coach Coach
Cain, Marie, Chagrin Falls MS, Chagrin
Berman, Elana, Wyoming MS, Falls, Marisa Conte, Coach Dixon, Chloe, Ankeney MS,
Wyoming, Elizabeth Toerner, Coach Beavercreek, Carol Brown, Coach
Carlisle, Avery, Kirtland MS, Kirtland,
Biedenbach, Isabella, St. Michael Sue Summerhill, Coach Dobmeyer, Cassandra, Bethel MS, Tipp
School, Canton, Canton, Kara City, Barb Seebach, Coach
Stuhlmiller, Coach Carpenter, Alexa, Shaker Heights MS,
Shaker Heights, Sara Lambert, Coach Dotts, Cora, Claymont MS, Uhrichsville,
Bixler, Isabella, Birchwood School, Alisha Mahaffey, Coach
Cleveland, Lorraine Tzeng, Coach Carroll, Daniel, Shaker Heights MS,
Shaker Heights, Sara Lambert, Coach Dryden, Magnolia, Hudson MS,
Blankenship, Faith, Kirtland MS, Hudson, Mike Fejes, Coach
Kirtland, Sue Summerhill, Coach Carter, Rebecca, Hudson MS, Hudson,
Mike Fejes, Coach Duran, Lillian, McCord JHS, Sylvania,
Blanton, Courtney, St. Clement School, Diane Long, Coach
St. Bernard, Sr. Carol Louise Inderhees, Chafki, Malak, Brooklyn School
Coach District, Brooklyn, Kathy Mack, Coach
Bohman, Kate, New Albany MS, New Clark, Nina, Ottawa Hills, Ottawa Hills, E
Albany, Michele Oldenquist, Coach Karen Fischer, Coach
Eichner, Elaina, West Branch MS,
Beloit, Heidi Wilhelm, Coach
POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENT | 21Elbadawy, Omar, Birchwood School,
Cleveland, Lorraine Tzeng, Coach
Grzbowski, Pressley, Oakwood MS,
Canton, Lacey Marinaro, Coach J
Emery, Grace, Granville MS, Granville, Gustin, Ella, Van Buren MS, Kettering, Jacob, Josh, St. Michael School,
Charissa Pack, Coach Kyle Kennedy, Coach Canton, Kara Stuhlmiller, Coach
Erdman, Addy, Shawnee MS, Johnson, Lacey, Avon MS, Avon,
Springfield, Darcy Leis, Coach
H Brittany Steiger, Coach
Johnson, Sydney, Tuslaw MS,
Erman, Piper, Columbia MS, Columbia
Haley, Dennison , John Paul II Catholic Massillon, Janel Swonger, Coach
Station, Kyleen Wilson, Coach
School, Cincinnati, Jeffrey Karpanty,
Erravelli, Sreshta, New Albany MS, Coach Johnston, Elise, Tiffin MS, Tiffin,
New Albany, Michele Oldenquist, Michelle Helkey, Coach
Hallaman, Emily, St. Michael School,
Coach
Canton, Kara Stuhlmiller, Coach
Halm, Sophia, Perrysburg JHS, K
F Perrysburg, Allison Latella, Coach Kaibas, Caroline, Tippecanoe MS, Tipp
Faltay, Madelyn, St. Michael School, Hamilton, Emma, Seton Catholic City, Brittasha Thompson, Coach
Canton, Kara Stuhlmiller, Coach School, Hudson, Sarah Jackson, Coach Kaneria, Ruhi, Mason MS, Mason,
Faruki, Ayesha, Memorial MS, Mentor, Hasenkopf, Ali, Seton Catholic School, Rachel Young, Coach
Chelsea Apicello, Coach Hudson, Sarah Jackson, Coach Karman, Panka, Ballard Brady Middle,
Feerer, Hannah, St. Charles Borromeo, Hassan, Thnaa, International Academy Pepper Pike, Jenna Drozd, Coach
Kettering, Chris Bigelow, Coach of Columbus, Columbus, Amanda Katz, Elina, Granville MS, Granville,
Ference, Natalie, St. Matthew School, Lewis, Coach Charissa Pack, Coach
Gahanna, Melissa Mengos, Coach Hauer, Keegan, Gahanna MS West, Keel, Ava, Kenton MS, Kenton, Tina
Fernandez, Ella, Wyoming MS, Gahanna, Natalie Baransy, Coach Hiller, Coach
Wyoming, Elizabeth Toerner, Coach Hayes, Emmy, St. Paul Lutheran Kennedy, Marylynn, St. Paul Lutheran
Fetherolf, Kayleigh, Northwest MS, School, Westlake, Shari Rooney, Coach School, Westlake, Shari Rooney, Coach
Canal Fulton, Jessica Ventosa, Coach Head, Nina, The Seven Hills School, Kheyfets, Sasha, Beachwood MS,
Fink, Andrew, St. Charles Borromeo, Cincinnati, Chris Caldemeyer, Coach Beachwood, Suzanne Tucker, Coach
Kettering, Chris Bigelow, Coach Hicks, Markie, East Canton MS, East Kiedrowski, Hayden, St. Brigid of
Folk, Katherine, Immaculate Heart of Canton, Ida Gorman, Coach Kildare, Dublin, Sara Hardin, Coach
Mary School, Cuyahoga Falls, Linda Hiller, Lydia, St. Columban School, Kleehamer, Kiersten, Reading MS,
Littler, Coach Loveland, Amanda Zizelman, Coach Reading, Cindy Childs, Coach
Foster, Eden, Arbor Hills JHS, Hoeffel, Kendall, Lebanon JHS, Kleinfelter, Kathryn, Perrysburg JHS,
Sylvania, Karen Francis, Coach Lebanon, Kathy Robinson, Coach Perrysburg, Allison Latella, Coach
Holonitch, Matthew, St. Joseph Koehler, Madison, Arcadia MS,
G Montessori School, Columbus,
Jessica Appel, Coach
Arcadia, Carrie Plesec, Coach
Gebhart, Rebecca, St. Matthew School, Kortan, Gideon, Brunswick MS,
Hren, Katie, St. Mary of the Falls Brunswick, Dana Delnay, Coach
Gahanna, Melissa Mengos, Coach
School, Olmsted Falls, Susan
Gehret, Ben, Anna MS, Anna, Missy Kosakowski, Reagan, Olmsted Falls
Bevelacqua, Coach
Rivera, Coach MS, Olmsted Falls, Makenzie Lahoud,
Hubert, Mia, Shelby MS, Shelby, Jessie Coach
Gerst, Lillian, Canfield Village MS, Huggins, Coach
Canfield, Darlene Corfman, Coach Kraus, Alexis, Wyoming MS, Wyoming,
Hudok, Maddie, Van Buren MS, Van Elizabeth Toerner, Coach
Gilson, Charles, University School, Buren, Karen Dishong, Coach
Shaker Heights, Charles Oberndorf, Krieger, Felicity, Ashland MS, Ashland,
Huffman, Grant, St. Mary Catholic Carolyn Hrinda, Coach
Coach
School, Marietta, Liz Kern, Coach
Grace, Lily, Mount Vernon MS, Mount Krishnan, Karina, Beachwood MS,
Hughes, Adeline, Edgewood MS, Beachwood, Suzanne Tucker, Coach
Vernon, Esther Sadoff, Coach
Wooster, Michael Sexton, Coach
Griffith, Ethan, Van Buren MS, Krohn, Alex, St. Sebastian Parish
Kettering, Kyle Kennedy, Coach School, Akron, Maggi Blischak, Coach
22 | POWER OF THE PEN 2021 STATE TOURNAMENTYou can also read
