PenOhio team gives students opportunity to write creatively

Are you interested in creative writing? Good at thinking on your feet? Able to write three stories in a day without crying or intense hand cramping? Then our school’s new creative writing club and Pen Ohio team might be for you!

PenOhio is a competition very similar to middle school’s Power of the Pen, which encourages students to think creatively based off of three random prompts and compete against other to write the best or most creative stories within 40 minutes. It is in its second year, with the first ever competition occurring earlier this year in March.

Interested students can participate in team tryouts, which are going to be held right after school on Tuesday, November 15th and will last roughly 35-40 minutes. Students will be given a prompt and asked to write about it for the entire given time, and results will be posted a few days afterward. The competition itself will be on January 14th.

Later in the year, the new creative writing club will also convene simply for fun, without pressure for students to compete on the team. After all, only 6 students will be chosen for each of our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams.

Teacher and Club Advisor Conni Hilston encouraged students to try out during last Tuesday’s meeting. “Once I realized it was in January, four months earlier than last year, I realized that I really need to get started forming our teams and really putting rubber to the road,” she said, citing her disappointment that the competition pressure had to begin early.

Last year, our PenOhio teams had major success. Last year’s Varsity team took home second place overall, and JV was awarded third. Additionally, students Kathryn Slates and Sammi Friedler took home individual recognition.

“We took home some metal last year- individual and team recognition- and I have no doubt we will be able to do the same again,” said Hilston.

One thing may hinder some students planning to join the team this year, though: a new pay-to-participate fee. “They’re stepping up their game a little bit this year,” explained Hilston. “This year, we have to pay as a team. I’ve done my part to get it as low as I can, so I hope that the cost will not impact [students’] desire to join.”

Many students are already expressing their excitement about the opportunities a creative writing team will be offering them.

Senior Sarah Zhang, Varsity team alternate last year, explained, “I like that the club is adding another creative outlet for people at our school. Building a culture that is inclusive of different arts is something that is always beneficial. This year, I'm looking forward to potentially attending the PenOhio competition and really just sharing writing with others.”

Senior Natalie Briggs, another competitor last year, agreed, stating: "Despite the poor organization, for one of the only programs that encourages young students to write, it was a wonderful experience that I hope to participate in this year."

Overall, it will be a very exciting opportunity for students in all grades seeking to better their writing skills and stretch the limits of creative thinking. It’s also a great chance for students to make a mark on the school and on the community, as our participation in the competition is vital for its continuation as it makes its second-year debut.